Germans Dread N.Z. Typhoon Squadrons

Northern Advocate, 24 September 1943, Page 5

Germans Dread N.Z. Typhoon Squadrons

LONDON, Sept. 22. ■ At dawn and twilight, German antiaircraft gunners on the French coastline and in naval auxiliary ships stand to their guns, keeping a sharp lookout over the English Channel. Tney fidget apprehensively in those periods, as well they may, for if they hear the deep rumble of approaching Typhoons, it means the death of several Germans and severe damage to their ships. These Typhoons, with their white-and-black streaked under-wings, each carrying four cannon, roar down at over 300 miles an hour, raking the ships with murderous fire. They continue attacks often for ten minutes, until each pilot has swept over the ships at least twice.

This is "tickling up,” one of the jobs which the New Zealand Typhoon Squadron carries out from time to time, often on its own initiative. The Germans have learned to dread and respect these attacks, and their shipping hugs the shore, where it has additional protection from land ack-ack batteries. These open up fire as soon as they see the Typhoons, often sending shells into the sea and raising waterspouts 100 feet high, in the hope that the Typhoons may liy into tnem or get water in their air intakes.

19 Ships Ilit

Last week. Squadron Leader D. J. Scott, D.S.G.. D.F.C. and bar (Greymouth) leading his wing, comprising New Zealanders and another Typhoon squadron, sighted two 1000-ton naval auxiliary ships shortly after dawn at Le Havre. Squadron-Lea-der Scott detailed the second squadron to stand by, and then took in ihe New Zealanders at mast-height. Pilots could see red flashes from shore anti-aircraft guns winking at them, but although shellbursts. were all around them, and streams of tracers were coming up irom the ships, they went down, blasting the decks and sending up myriads of small geysers round the ships. Then when ammunition was used up, the second squadron went down, but by this time the ships were silenced. One pilot saw a gun swinging. round on its mounting, and two bodies lying lifeless, while the New Zealanders, from ten miles away, could see two black columns of smoke mounting up to the sky. This typical attack, of which the New Zealanders have carried out several, left nine ships burning or seriously damaged, and 10 severely damaged, including Eboats and Rboats. Few Air Combats

Their normal operations, however, are escorting medium and light bombers —Typhoon bombers, Bostons, Mitchells—in attacks on enemy aerodromes, marshalling yards and roadsteads, but while tney often encounter considerable flak, they complain that they rarely have an opportunity of meeting German fighters.

So the squadron's scoreboard now shows little drawings of ships as well as swastikas. which indicate aircraft shot down, and the score at present is 19 ships and 21 Vj swastikas. These attacks on ships are no picnics fcr either the pilots or the Germans, and very different from a dogfight, which may last only a matter of seconds. Saved From the Sea

The New Zealand Typhoon squadron also carries out air-sea rescue work, and at least one member of a Beaufighter crew is grateful to them. He had just managed to scramble into a dinghy after a crash in the sea soon after midnight. Late next evening, Squadron-Leader Scott was returning from t ranee at 10,000 feet after a raid. He was with Flight-Lieuts. A. L. Umbers, D.F.C. (Dunedin), I. D. Waddj (Blenheim), and Flying-Otficers F. Murphv (Wellington), J. R. Cullen (Waihi), R.‘-J. Dali (Hamilton) and Pilot-Officer A. N. Sames (Onehunga).

Far below, Squadron-Leader Scott saw a puff of smoke, then a red Verey light twinkled. He took the New Zealanders down, and found the dinghy, then those seven New Zealanders circled over the dinghy .awaiting the air-sea rescue boat. They threw out fluoriscine and rations, and continued circling until darkness fell. Their petrol was only just sufficient to reach base. Fleet Air Arm Albacores took up the search all night, and next morning another squadron continued the task, but could not find the dinghy, which had drifted during the night. So SquadronLeader Scott, with Flight-Lieutenants Waddy, Cullen and Sames and FlightSergt. W. B. Tyerman (Raurimu) took off. They flew over the sea until the limit of their petrel was nearly reached. Then just as Squadron-Leader Scott was deciding he would have to return, he sighted the dinghy at 5.30 p.m.—the result this time was that the dinghy was picked up by a motor-boat. The squadron lias carried out ever 70 operations during the summer, and has ■won a high reputation. Its recent visitors include Air Vice-Marshal Sir Keith Park, and Mr. and Mrs. Anthony Eden.