R.A.F. Parachutist Shot at by Italians

Manawatu Times, Volume 66, Issue 4, 6 January 1941, Page 8

R.A.F. Parachutist Shot at by Italians

{British Official Wireless). (Received 4, 2.30 p.m.) RUGBY, Jan. 3 ( An R.A.F. pilot and observer of a :British bomber which was last seen in flames over the enemy lines in South Albania 12 days ago have just returned to their base, says the Air Ministry News Service. The pilot told how he gave the order for the crew to jump out. The observer did so, but the air gunner had been killed. In describing his own experience, the pilot said: “Part of my parachute harness, which I discovered afterward* had been struck by bullets caught round my leg, and as the parachute opened it jerked my leg up behind my neck and broke it. . ' '"ltalian fighters eame after me and put 20 bullets through my parachute—we counted the holes later. “The observer came down in a village further away in the valley. After half an hour Greek soldiers found me, Ibandaged me as best they could land found a stretcher. For four days they carried me cheerfully over the mountains, often through deep streams and [along mountain tracks with precipitous bdees. It .was a long slow journey** j