FINE RECORD

New Zealand Herald, Volume 79, Issue 24302, 17 June 1942, Page 4

FINE RECORD

YOUNG NEW ZEALANDER SQUADRON LEADER AT 22 LONDON. May 15 Forty-five offensive reconnaissance patrols over the Norwegian coast, between Namsos and Christiensand, have been carried out by Squadron-Leader E. H. McHardy, D.F.C., of Waipawa, during two years with the Coastal Command. Not yet 22, he is one of the youngest New Zealand squadronleaders in the Royal Air Force. He has made a number of attacks on enemy shipping, and he has been credited with one and a-half German aircraft definitely destroyed. He also damaged several others. Squadron-Leader McHardy is at present attached to a Royal Canadian Air Force Squadron operating Blenheims in the North of Scotland. In the December raid against Vaagso, when the Royal Air Force, the Royal Navy, and the Commandos combined to destroy an oil refinery being used to supply Germany, the young New Zealander stood on the deck of a cruiser directing Blenheims and Beaufighters by radio telephone. Squadron-Leader McHardy began his operations just before Dunkirk. On one of his first flights he was piloting one of four Blenheims, which were escorting two gunboats off Texel, when 10 Messerschinitts arrived. One was shot down immediately, and McHardy made a head-on attack against another. Three days later he was escorting a sbip off the Belgian coast when a Heinkel attacked. Fire from McHardy's and a second Blenheim sent it down into the sea; then three Messerschmitts 110 and one Me. 109 arrived. McHardy accounted for a Me. 110, making his score one and a-half for the patrol. His flights over the Norwegian coast were of value to him during the Vaagso raid. He had flown over the spot many times, and was able to recognise all the landmarks easily.

BILLETING OF SOLDIERS

INFORMATION SOUGHT (0.C.) "WHANGAREI, Tuesday The chairman of the Whangarei E.P.S., Mr. W. Jones, said he had vainly tried to obtain from the Army a statement as to what was expected of householders with respect to billeting. If a real emergency occurred the doors of every house would be opened immediately to soldiers. If billeting were wanted during manoeuvres, it was a different matter. Householders should know whether they were expected to provide shelter only, or to feed soldiers billeted upon them, and the rate of payment. Mr. Jones considered it was quite wrong to ask a mother with little children to provide meals for soldiers. The provision of shelter would be easier, soldiers bringing their own blankets and greatcoats. He was informed that troops would have their travelling kitchens, so tliere would be no call on householders to provide meals. Members of the committee endorsed the chairman's remarks. It was decided to accede to a further request to supply the Army with particulars of accommodation available in public halls and hotels.

24-HOUR RESCUE LONDON, May 15 For the most outstanding rescue achievement of the year in bringing to safety 43 persons from a vessel stranded on the east coast of Scotland, the Johnshaven (Angus) Rocket Life Saving Apparatus Company have been a/warded the official shield. The rescue took place in a gale, and extended over nearly 24 hours.