N.Z Torpedo-Bombers Sink Merchantman

Northern Advocate, 10 April 1943, Page 3

N.Z Torpedo-Bombers Sink Merchantman

(Received 10.30 a.m.) (Special) LONDON, April 9. A New Zealand torpedo-bopiber squadron sank another merchantman off Norway. It was of 5600 tons. It was hit by two tGrpedoes, causing an explosion “which sent up everything but the kitchen sink.”

Three Hampdens were patrolling, led by Warrant-Officer R. C. Dunn (Kaiapoi), who had as members of his crew Flight-Sergeant W. Douglas (Rotorua), an Englishman and a Scot. In the second aircraft was FlyingOfficer S. Latta (Auckland) with Flight-Sergeant H. A. Sherley (Te Awamutu), a Queenslander and a Canadian. A third Hampden was piloted by an Englishman with FlightSergeants A. S. Jones (Dunedin), D. A. Brier (Te Kuiti) and G. Burt (Mata ta).

The weather was “terrible.” The Hampdens flew at 200 ft, . then went down to wave-top height. Suddenly through mist and rain they sighted a merchantman escorted by a flak-ship. Warrant-Officer Dunn led the formation into the attack. They surprised the Germans by attacking from the land side. A.s a result they were not noticed until they were pulling up to drop their torpedoes. In order to make room for the other aircraft and also to dodge the flak, War-rant-Officer Dunn was forced to pull up and pass right over the ship, which made him a target for flak. Both Warrant-Officer Dunn and FlightOfficer Latta secured hits with torpedoes. It was Warrant-Officer Dunn’s fourth attack and second hit and Flying-Officer Latta’s third attack and first hit. None of the Hampdens was hit or damaged. They subsequently received signal congratulations from the A.O.C. their group.