PARACHUTE LEAP

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23850, 28 December 1940, Page 7

PARACHUTE LEAP

rxcoxsfiors ix aih FIRST AID FOR WOUND FIRE IN TUNIC EXTINGUISHED By Telegraph—Press Association —Copyright British Wireless LONDON, Dee. '2O A thrilling' story of a parachute escape from a .Spitfire was told by a sergeant-pilot who is a member of the first Royal Air Force fighter squadron to have shot down UK) aircraft while operating from one station. 'AYe h:ul at tucked a formation of Messerschmiit K>9\s about luncht.ime one day." he said. "We went down about 2000 ft.. one alter another, and made our attacks, then there was a (.log-fight and I was hit by a cannon shell as I was about to set on a Messersehmitt below me. "Immediately my Spitfire went into a steep dive and (lames appeared all round, so 1 threw the hood back and kicked myself out of the machine. 1 had been hit in the leg and fainted almost immediately. "1 came to pretty soon afterward and found 1 was tailing fast. 1 was very comfortable, but at 1 I.oooft. or so 1 pulled tlie parachute rip cord. When 1 was coming down slowly, [ took my wireless lead, which was still attached, and tied it tightly round my leg to staunch the flow of blood. "Then I realised that my tunic was on fire, so 1 beat out the flames with my hands. 1 singed my moustache, too. A Spitfire from another squadron came to give me protection from machinegunning by enemy fighters, but no enemy appeared. "1 thought 1 was going to hit some telegraph wires or a high tension cable, but 1 missed them both and lauded in an orchard. My aircraft crashed about three miles from my home in Kent, and when my parents came to see me in hospital the following day they told me th oy had watched me coming down, although at the time not knowing who it was."

BOMBED CHURCHES HEAVY LOSSES IN BRITAIN OFFSET BY SPIRITUAL GAINS (Received December '2O. 5.85 p.m.) British Wireless LONDON, Dec. '2O The Church of England Press Bureau states that over 1000 churches, schools, halls and vicarages have been destroyed or damaged as the result of enemy action. This is in addition to the destruction of Coventry Cathedral and damage to Westminster Abbey, St. Paul's, Canterbury and Liverpool Cathedrals and other famous churches previously reported to have suffered. "I o set against these losses," adds the bureau, "there have been great spiritual gains. In l'J-10 there were many signs that the war had touched the deeper springs of the British national character. The press and other media of national expression reflected increasing signs of a religious revival, particularly in the universal stirring of hearts on .May 26 and August 9, when the King called his peoples to prayer." SUBMARINE ATTACK MOTOR-SHIP WAIOTIRA TORPEDOING REPORTED (Received December -27. 5 ,'!■"> p.m.) NEW YORK, Dec, '2O The Maekav Radio reports that the Shaw Savill motor-ship Waiotira has been torpedoed north-west of the British Isles in latitude 58 degrees 12 minutes north, longitude 17 degrees 2."> minutes west. A message from Stockholm says the Swedish steamer Mangen. of 125.'] tons, has been sunk by a torpedo in the Atlantic. Five of the crew are missing. On about her third round voyage. Shaw Savili and Albion Company, Limi tod's, 12.52.'i-ton twin-screw motorship Waiotira hiis built at liell'ast by Harland and Wolff, Limited, late in lO.'iO. Kquipped with refrigeration machinery and a cruiser stern, the Waiotira, a cargo-carr.ving vessel, is "ilOft. in length and has a beam of 70ft;,

NEW ZEALAND TROOPS CHRISTMAS IN LONDON (Received December '27, ft.MO p.m.) LONDON, Dec. 2<i Nearly 600 New Zealand servicemen had Christmas dinner at the New Zealand Forces Club. Those present included the High Commissioner, Mr. W. ,L .Jordan, and Brigadier J.' Hargest. An entertainment, was given subsequently by Miss Stella Murray, Mr. Hubert, Carda, Miss Colleen Clifford and Miss Kathleen Levy.