NARROW ESCAPE

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXII, 13 April 1939, Page 8

NARROW ESCAPE

NEW ZEALAND OFFICER TRANSJORDAN BATTLE AEROPLANE STRUCK BY TEN BULLETS LONDON, 16th March. A narrow escape from death was ixperienced by Lieutenant-Colonel John nglis Chrystall, of Christchurch, and in old boy of Christ's College, who rommands the Transjordan Frontier in a recent desert battle beween the Force and Arab terrorists. The New Zealander was observing the jrogress of the action from an aerojlanc piloted by Pilot-Sergeant John Joggins, of the Royal Air Force. When sergeant Coggins flew low over the erritory to give the Colonel a better riew the Arabs opened fire on the nachine, which was hit 10 times. One bullet struck Sergeant Coggins jut. fighting the weakness which arose :rom loss of blood, he retained control j[ the aeroplane and turned for home After landing safely on the aerodrome :he pilot collapsed and was taken tc lospital in a serious condition. PLUCKY CONDUCT OF NEW ! ZEALANDER One report says that Sergeant Coggins shouted to Lieutenant-Colonel Chrystall to use his parachute, but that the New Zealander refused and gave the wounded man what help he could. In the engagement Lieutenant S. T. Macadam, of the Arab Legion, was killed, and four of his men were wounded. The terrorists’ casualties were estimated at 45. The band had crossed into Transjordan some days before, and information was received which showed that they were moving up toward Palestine. Detachments of the Transjordan Frontier Force, the Transjordan Police and the Arab Legion under Peake Pasha began to search, and located the gang near Zcmal. on the eastern side of the River Jordan. Supported by Royal Air Force machines, they attacked, the fighting lasting until dark. COLONEL CHRYSTALLS CAREER Lieutenant-Colonel Chrystall was at Christ’s College from 1897 to 1904. He spent 1906-07 at Lincoln Agricultural College, and. gaining a diploma in agriculture. he took up land in Hawkes Bay. He left New Zealand in 1912 to enlist in the 7th Queen's Own Hussars, then stationed at Bangalore. South India. In November, 1914, he was granted a commission in the 13th Hussars, and he served throughout the Great War in France. Persia and Mesopotamia. From 1919 to 1921 he served at General Headquarters in Mesopotamia. He was awarded the M.C. and was mentioned three times in despatches. In 1922 he was appointed to the Egyptian Army and commanded a squadron of cavalry in the Sudan for three years. The appointment to Commandant of Police of Kordofan Province. Sudan, followed, and he held the position for three and a-half years. In January. 1929, he rejoined the 13th/18th Hussars. and was attached to them for a foreign tour of service later in the year when the regiment moved to Cairo In 1936 he attended a senior officers course in Belgaum, Bombay.