MORE OFFENSIVE ROLE

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 78, 3 July 1943, Page 5

MORE OFFENSIVE ROLE

N.Z. SPITFIRE SQUADRON NOW UNDER WING COMMANDER DEERE London, July 1. The New Zealand Spitfire Squadron is now in the wing led by Wing Commander Alan Deere, D. 5.0., D.F.C. and bar. Its new commanding officer is Squadron Leader John Checketts (Invercargill). This means a new phase and a more offensive role for New Zealanders, who, during the past year, have been chiefly on defensive operations.

The squadron takes the place of that led by Canadian Squadron Leader Jack Charles, D.F.C., who with a Frenchman, shared the destruction of the 1000th aircraft for Bigging Hill Station. Charles’s’ squadron, which has been on operations for some time, has been transferred to be rested, and the New Zealand Squadron has come in to take its place. This is a great opportunity for the New Zealand Squadron to distinguish itself. It will fly the latest Spitfire Nines, instead of Spitfire Fives, and will act with the Fighting French Squadron as a cover for bombers. An indication of the success of this wing led by Wing Commander Deere is that when he took over the command, its score was 987. To-day its score is 1940. The New Zealanders’ score is 41 and they are hoping to increase it—shortly. Squadron Leader Checketts succeeds Squadron Leader R. W. Baker, D.F.C. (Dunedin) who has been with the squadron continuously for nearly two years and has earned a rest from operations. This will be the second time Checketts has served with the New Zealand Squadron—the first was when he was a pilot officer and he flew with the squadron the day the Scharnhorst went up the Channel. Recently Checketts became a flight commander in Charles’s squadron, and in the past few weeks he has shot down three FWl9o’s.

The New Zea&nders are naturally delighted that they will be in Deere’s wing. He sometimes led the squadron two years ago during its early career, and Deere is also very pleased. There is no doubt that to-day Deere is one of the leading fighter pilots in Britain. He is highly regarded, not only by the Fighter Command, but by the U.S.A.A.F. and Fighting French. —P.A. Special Correspondent.