Thrilling Story of New Zealand Pilot

Manawatu Times, Volume 68, Issue 50, 1 March 1943, Page 3

Thrilling Story of New Zealand Pilot

special Correspondent.) LONDON, Feb. 25.

Eight FWlOO’s flying at 20,000 feet over Gravelines recently sighted a single Spitfire. They dived down in pairs at intervals of 100 yards, relishing this titbit for their cannons. But somehow the Spitfire seemed to dodge them. They formed a circle and flew round it, occasionally attacking from a range of 100 yards, but still the Spitfire evaded them. Finally it disappeared in a cloud-bapk and eluded them. The Spitfire pilot who shook off these odds of eight to one was Wing-Commander P. G. Jameson, of Lower Hutt, D.F.C. and bar. Although hundreds of rounds of cannon-shells must have been fired at him lie reached his base without a single scratch on his aircraft, which was a Spitfire 9—one of the latest types. Jameson, leads a wing composed of two Norwegian squadrons and another squadron. Jameson on this occasion was leading the Norwegians in a sweep over St. Omer. Two of tho Fockcwulfs flew in front slightly over the leading squadron. Jameson turned quickly and attempted a deflection shot. The Fockewulfs dived down. Then occurred the incidents leading up to Jameson’s being outnumbered. Two other Spitfires in his section mistook each other for Jameson. They Went down after the Huns. Jameson did not notice that they had left him. A few seconds later he saw eight Fockewulfs at 10,000 feet under him. Te immediately attacked, thinking that his numbers two and three were following him. Actually lie was by himself. He chased the Huns down to 1500 feet but could not catch up w'iTh them. He noticed then that he was alone, so ho climbed over Gravclines to rejoin his squadron. He arrived at nearly 20,000 feet when the eight Fockewulfs began diving on him in pairs. Jameson turned and met each attack headon, which apparently was not to <lie Germans’ liking. Thev formed a circle and began attacking him “from all directions.” He called up his squadron by radio telephone, tolling them that he was over Gravclincs entertaining callers, but was “being somewhat occupied.” He gave no height, with the result that they missed him by some eight or ten miles. Spitfire’s Guns Jamb Each Folkewulf made two to three attacks against the sole New Zealander, but ho dodged all by doing tight, turns or “skidding” the Spitfire. He was able to get in a two-second burst at one, but then his cannons jambed. Frequently he saw great flames spurting from the Huns’ cannons, sometimes vertically banking. Eventually he decided that it was about time he returned home. He went down in tight spiral turns, found broken clouds at 1000 feet, shook off the Folkewulfs, and set a course for England.

Jameson did not know it, but his compass was out of action. By aerobatics he flew for 45 minutes, carefully looking back over his tail for tho Huns. Finally he sighted land. He recognised it, but it was not England, it was Cape Grisnez. Fortuuately tlic sun was shining and Jameson knew that if he flew to a position so that it was “over his left shoulder” lie would bo taking the correct direction. He was right and finally reached his base safely, with 15 gallons of petrol to spare. Jameson’s Revenge Eleven days later Jameson was again leading the Norwegians. They were escorting Liberators which bombed a ship at Dunkirk. While protecting them on the return flight Jameson sighted five Fockewulfs 3000 feet below. Jameson blew up one with cannons. There was a terrific flash, its p hood just missing his port wing. He rejoined the Liberators. Jameson later sighted two more Fockewulfs 10,000 feet below and he and liis number two shot down both. Jameson saw one. Ho attacked and it crashed into the sea. The pilot was evidently dead as he was unable to bale out. Jameson’s section of three on that flight shot down five Germans between them, while the Norwegian squadron’s total bag was seven. Since Jameson has been leading the Norwegians, from December 8, their score is: Shot down 13, probables 4, damaged 8. Jameson, who is a survivor from the aircraft-carrier Glorious—he was one of seven survivors on the raft on which 22 died during three nights—has now shot down nine Germans. He is one of New Zealand’s most outstanding fighter pilots. On the same station are FljghtLieut. P. Haywood (■Wellington), Flying Officer T. Baird (Dunedin), and Sergt. K. Noble-Campbell (Nelson). The highest opinion is held of Jameson everywhere. His Norwegians think fTfo world of him and would follow him anvwherc.