“One Of Few” To Lead N.Z. Spitfire Squadron

Northern Advocate, 30 September 1944, Page 4

“One Of Few” To Lead N.Z. Spitfire Squadron

(Special)

FRANCE, Sept. 29

Squadron-Leader J. G. Pattison, D.F.C. (Waipawa) has been appointed commanding officer of a New Zealand Spitfire squadron now operating in France. He succeeds Squadron-Leader J. Niven. D.F.C., of Scotland, who has led the squadron since just before D Day, and has now completed his tour of opora-Squadron-Leader Pattison is no stranger to the squadron, for he operated with it during 1942. He is one of “the few” who fought during the Battle of Britain, and was shot down by a Messerschmitt 109 during the September battles. He crashlanded his aircraft and had to spend the next nine months in hospital. _ Then he became an instructor until joining the New Zealand squadron in February, 1942. The following April he was again shot down, this time over the English Channel by a Focke Wulf 190. He spent an hour and threequarters in his dinghy, until picked up by air-sea rescue. When the Americans first arrived m England Squadron-Leader Pattison was appointed air liaison officer, instructing them in the use of the Spitfire for six ' V< Then Squadron-Leader Pattison returned to the New Zealand squadron until July, 1943. Against Calais Guns After a further period as instructor, Squadron-Leader Pattison returned to operations, in time for the invasion of Normandy, and during the period of beach-head occupation he shot down both a Messerschmitt and Focke Wulf, thereby taking complete revenge for his earlier mishaps. . , Squadron-Leader Pattison, who is New Zealand squadron’s seventh commanding officer, has carried out 130 operations on Spitfires, flying about 300 operational hours. Within a day or so of taking over his new command, he led the New Zealanders on a dive-bombing attack on a German gun emplacement at Calais, when 11 out of the 12 bombs hit the target. The squadron recently has been concentrating on this type of work in cooperation with the Canadian army, and made an equally accurate attack at Dunkirk, which the Germans are using as a strongpoint. • „ ... Wing-Commander Harries, an Englishman, who is leading a wing to which New Zealanders are attached, said of the squadron: “The boys are doing very well indeed. It is a grand squadron, with a terrific spirit.”

Died.—Berlin radio announced the death, after an illness, of Joseph Buerckel. first gauleiter of Austria. Buerckel was one of the old guard of the Nazi Party and played a leading part in the- annexation of Austria. He was at the time of his death Reich Defence Commissar in the West.