FIVE NAZIS DOWN

New Zealand Herald, Volume 79, Issue 24244, 9 April 1942, Page 6

FIVE NAZIS DOWN

DOMINION SQUADRON FOUR TO AUCKLANDERS GROUP CAPTAIN MISSING "MOST INSPIRED LEADER" (Special Correspondent) (Reed. 6.5 p.m.) LONDON, April 7 The New Zealand fighter squadron shot down a further five Nazis, also probably one other, and damaged two. They were the newest Focke Wulf 190's. Sergeant J. D. Rae and Flight-Lieu-tenant 11. J. 0. Grant, D.F.M., of Auckland, got two each. Flight-Lieu-tenant W. V. C. Compton, D.F.C., accounted for one, Pilot-Officer John Palmer, of Hawke's Bay, was credited with a probable and damaged one, and Sergeant J. Liken damaged one.

The squadron's jubilation evaporated, however, when it was learned that Group Captain F. V. Beamish, D.S.O. and bar, D.F.C., A.F.C., was missing from this sweep. He was leading the New Zealanders flying at 19,000 ft. toward France when they saw the Focke. Wulfs chasing Spitfires leaving France after a sweep. Group Captain Beamish swept down against the Germans and dog fights followed. A Focke Wulf attacked Group Captain Beamish and Flight-Lieutenant Grant drove one off his tail and shot down another, but Group Captain Beamish had been hit. He was last seen five miles from the French coast.

Meanwhile Sergeant Rae had shot down two of the enemy. He chased a third for 3D miles over France, followed faithfully by Pilot-Officer M. Hulme, of Auckland. Flight-Lieutenant Compton dived vertically over another Focke Wulf, after which it crashed at 400 miles an hour. The loss of Group Captain Beamish has saddened the New Zealanders, who had the greatest admiration for him. He was rated as the most inspired leader ever to head a Spitfire wing. "The New Zealand Squadron is now recognised among the best five squadrons at the Fighter Command," a Royal Air Force officer stated. He added: "Squadron-Leader E. P. Wells, D.F.C. and bar, who is the squadron's commanding officer, is regarded as one of the best fighter pilots New Zealand has produced."