Spitfires Create Havoc In Sweep Over France

Manawatu Times, Volume 66, Issue 264, 6 November 1941, Page 6

Spitfires Create Havoc In Sweep Over France

GREAT PETROL BLAZE (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, Nov. 4. R.A.F. fighters continued tneir onensive patrols over Northern France: to-day, says the Air Ministry. In tho Cherbourg Peninsula, gasometers, oi) | tanks, and a petrol lorry were attacked and set on fire. Other targets attacked during the day’s operations included an aerodrome, a factory, a goods train, troops, and gun positions. One aircraft is missing.

The Air Ministry news service adds that flames from burning petrol could be seen for 30 miles by Spitfire pilots returning from France. The pilots had attacked an oil refinery containing about 150 small tanks, every one of which was on fire when they left. Finally, the Spitfires attacked and blew up four gasometers.

Four enemy trains were attacked by other Spitfires in the Cherbourg area. “One engine was blown sky-high,” said a pilot on his return, “and German troops dived in panic from the waggons.”

At Boulogne harbour, French fishermen waved fish aloft as a greeting to the pilots. Only one formation of about eight Messerschmitts were seen. They were of the F type. Before they made off, they were attacked, and several were damaged. There is nothing to report regarding enemy daylight activity over Britain.

ICELANDIC PILOT IN R.A.F.

(Ree. 5, 10.45)

LONDON, Nov. 4.

The latest addition to the “League of Nations” represented by the pilots of the R.A.F. is a 19-years-old sergeant pilot, formerly of Reykjavik, Iceland, who has made his first operational flight and has attacked barges in a canal in Northern France.

AIR FORCE CASUALTY

(P.A.)

WELLINGTON, Nov. 5.

The following Air Force casualty was announced to-day:—

BARTON. Sergeant Clifford Barnaby, R.N.Z.A.F. Previously reported missing, now reclassified as killed on a training flight. Father, Mr L. Barton, Dunedin.

H.B. AIRMAN’S COMMISSION

(A.P.A.) LONDON, Oct. T. “The party of radio personnel who left New Zealand just before Christmas last year, and who were In my charge, are now split up and are doing their various jobs in many different parts of the British Isles,” said PilotOfficer Alan Chisholm, of Wellington, who was recently on leave. Among those in the draft who have received commissions are Pilot-Officers J. J. Betts, W. D. Foster (Wellington and Napier, I. C. Hansen (Auckland), and L. W. Gandar (Wellington).

N.Z. BOMBER COMMANDER

(A.P.A.)

LONDON, Oct. T.

Wing-Commander C. E. Kay, 0.8. E.. D.F.C., of Auckland, who has served witn the New Zealand Bomber Squadron since its formation shortly after the outbreak of war. has been transferred to another station to take a course for special duties. Wing-Commander Kay has commanded the New Zealand Squadron for several months.