Australian Airmen In Thick Of It

Manawatu Times, Volume 65, Issue 307, 16 December 1940, Page 8

Australian Airmen In Thick Of It

BAG OF SEVEN SO FAR (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, Dec. 13. A squadron of the Royal Australian Air Force has played no small part in the successful air operations supporting the Army in the Western Desert in tho last few’ days, states tho Air Ministry news service. The squadron has accounted for seven enemy planes and has done excellent work in covering the British troops' advance. Ono CR-37 was their first bag. They came upon the Italian aircraft machinegunning British transports, and they attacked immediately. A flight-lieuten-ant got a long burst right into the cockpit of the enemy machine, which turned over on its back and hit the ground before bursting into flames. The following day, five Australians counted a dozen C.R.-42's attempting to harass British troops. The squadronleader, who led the attack, quickly shot down one f and the other Australians became engaged in a general dogfight. A flying officer said: “When J arrived, I saw three enemy aircraft m front preparing for another dive on our troops. By half-rolling into a dive, I came astern of the last CR-42. I was 150 yards behind him when I opened fire. He attempted a steep climbing turn, but his aircraft collapsed in the middle of it. ” A Fress Association cable says that New Zealanders, Australians, South Africans and Canadians arc participating in tho Royal Air Force’s desert blitz.