FIRST COMBAT

New Zealand Herald, Volume 79, Issue 24302, 17 June 1942, Page 3

FIRST COMBAT

TORPEDO BOMBERS DOMINION SQUADRON OFFICIAL TRIBUTE PAID (Special Correspondent) (Reed. 7.15 p.m.) LONDON, June JLS The New Zealand Torpedc-Bomber Squadron in its first combat against the Germans came off far and away the best, for which it was congratulated by Air Chief-Marshal Sir Phillip Joubert. The aircraft, piloted by Flight-Lieu ten ant R. G. Hartshorn, of Auckland, with FlightSergeant J. McGill Brown, also of Auckland, as wireless air-gunner, and also two English members of the crew, was returning from an anti - submarine patrol when it was attacked by two Focke Wulf 190's—Germany's latest fighter, for which Spitfire pilots have great respect. Engine Smoking The combat lasted half an hour and resulted in one of the Germans leaving hurriedly for France with black smoke pouring from the engine. The other plane broke off the combat, probably after its ammunition had been exhausted. Sir Phillip Joubert, in a message to the commanding officer, Wing-Com-mander James Brown, said: "Please convey my congratulations to the captain and crew. In their engagement all concerned displayed courage and great determination. The success achieved waa

due to the excellence of team work and mutual understanding while in action of each member throughout. Flight-Sergeant Jordan, the English air-gunner, was particularly commendable for, in addition to fighting off the enemy, he kept the pilot fully informed of the situation, enabling the aircraft to be flown in the most advantageous manner." Enemy Fighters Attack The crew had nearly completed their patrol when Flight-Sergeants McGill Brown and Jordan, who were changing the accumulators, sighted two Focke Wulfs. They warned Flight-Lieutenant Hartshorn, who dived to sea level. The Focke Wulfs began their attacks from the port and starboard, hitting the bomber immediately both with cannonshell and machine-guns, opening fire at 400 yards range and closing to 150 yards, and wounding two of the crew. Flight-Lieutenant Hartshorn took evasive action and could see the Germans' bullets churning up the sea when he dodged. When the Focke Wulfs made their second attack Flight-Sergeant Jordan scored direct hits against one, after which it immediately emitted smoke and broke off the action. Then the second Focke Wulf changed tactics, beginning attacks from 800 yards and ending them at fioo yards, hoping to put Flight-Sergeant Jordan out of action.

Made ofi for France This was unsuccessful, so the German circled ahead of the bomber and began a series of attacks from starboard, but Flight-Lieutenant Hartshorn faced him and he eventually also made off for France. Flight-Sergeant Jordan gave him a farewell of 800 rounds. This highly successful outcome of the first combat greatly heartened everyone in the Squadron. Sir Phillip Joubert's "strawberry," which is the opposite to "raspberry," was followed up by strawberries from the officer commanding the group in which the squadron is posted. He congratulated the Squadron on completing its training without a single aircraft accident, "which was a most creditable achievement," and also congratulated Pilot-Officer D. J. Nillson, of Hastings, for a difficult flight in adverse weather conditions. The squadron now is fully operational except for torpedo dropping, but is carrying out training for this. The squadron has adopted the motto "Whakatangata Kia Kaha"—"Acquit ye like men, be brave," which is incorporated in the crest fGr which official approval is being sought. An Piiot-Officer J. A. Fraser, is the latest arrival in the squadron. He is a special radio officer.

Flight-Lieutenant R. G. Hartshorn, who is 22 years of age, is the son of Mr. G. H. Hartshorn, of 33 Great South Road, Auckland. Flight-Lieuten-ant Hartshorn was born in Hastings and completed his education at King s College, later entering the service of the Commercial Bank of Australia. He enlisted in the Air Force on the outbreak of hostilities and went into training in May, 1940, leaving New Zealand with the rank of pilot-officer in December of the same year. In the past four months he has had two steps m promotion to his present rank.

NEW WAR SUPERTAX INCOMES EXCEEDING £SOOO (Reed. 6.30 p.m.) WASHINGTON, June 15 The United States Treasury has formally requested the House of Representatives' Ways and Means. Committee to provide for a 100 per cent war supertax on net incomes exceeding 25,000 dollars after payment of regular income and other taxes. The new tax will affect 11,000 persons and is estimated to yield 185,000,000 dollars.

48-HOUR WEEK

UNITED STATES LABOUR (Reed. 6.30 p.m.) NEW YORK, June 15 The Secretary for Labour, Miss Frances Perkins, said the 48-hour week and the 160-hour .plant production programme had become the-optimum working average for labour management for the duration of the war. She said the mass production war worker must have a limit to his work in order to produce the best. Forty-eight hours weekly is the limit, with few exceptions.