COVER FOR ARMY

New Zealand Herald, Volume 80, Issue 24747, 22 November 1943, Page 4

COVER FOR ARMY

NEW ZEALAND PILOTS AFRICA, SICILY AND ITALY (N.Z.E.F. Official War Correspondent) CAIRO, Nov. 17 Passing along the "Kiwi Trail" blazed through the Middle East by New ;Zealanders of all services since the outbreak of the war, two mure Kiwis who really fly, Flight-Sergeants A. F. Swan, ot Inglewood, and .J. Robinson, of Kakanki, near Marton, both members of a famous Spitfire squadron, have stepped oil' at a "transit camp," winch Cairo has now become, long enough to have a look over the city and make the acquaintance ot old friends serving in the Second New Zealand Expeditionary Force. Both have been away from New Zealand for over two years. Flight-Sergeant Robinson served with the New Zealand Spitiire Squadron in operations from Kngland and later he and Flight-Sergeant Swan were transferred to the North Africa theatre, where they served in a squadron commanded by Group-Captain Colin Cray, D.5.0., D.F.C., New Zealand's lighter ace, acting throughout as tighter cover lor the First Army. In this squadron at that time \vere Pilot-Oflicer A. IVart, of l?aglan, Flight-Sergeants B. F. Young, of Auckland, "Sandy" MaeDonald, of Dunedin, and Sergeant I*. Ryan, of Avondale. Flight-Sergeants Robinson and Swan flew with CroupCaptain Gray's squadron at Malta and later at Sicily and formed part of the lighter cover over the Filth Arniy at Salerno.

In one sweep during the Sicilian campaign Flight-Sergeant Robinson accounted for two Messerschmitt 109's. He was flying as part of a formation of six Spitfires when they were "jumped" by eight Messerschmitts. "We wore cruising when the enemy planes came up fast behind." said Flight-Sergeant Robinson. "We saw them when they were about 800 yards away and turned sharply. 'I he enemy overshot us. We completed our turn, opened up throttles and came in behind the Messerschmitts. f took one, got. in close and scored without difficulty." Flight-Sergeant Robinson saw a second enemy plane diving toward the earth and chased him up. Then a thrilling and exhausting dogfight occurred tip among the hills. The New Zealandcr had expended all his cannon ammunition, but got in several bursts with machineguns. "The enemy pilot must have been very good," he said. "He was a very daring ilier. I think I hit him, although it was most difficult with machine-guns, and he tipped his wing into a hillside while doing a steep turn. "Very little opposition was encountered oil sweeps over Italy and at times like that flying can become boring. Tt is the rarest thing in the world to keep looking round for something that is not there."

"PATIENCE FAILS"

RAILWAYMEN'S CLAIMS STERNER METHODS URGED (P.A.) CHRISTCITURCH, Sunday An article entitled "Patience Fails — What Now?" published in the New Zealand Railway Review, was discussed at a meeting of the Canterbury branch of the Amalgamated Society of Railway Servants to-day. A report issued afterward said there was an unusually large attendance of members, who discussed fully the implications of the article. The following resolution was carried: —"This general mass meeting of the Canterbury branch members of the A.S.R.S. heartily endorses the statement made by the national executive. We are of the opinion that the protracted and fruitless negotiations, in regard to bringing railwnymen's wages more into line with the cost of living, between the A.S.R.S. and the administration have become so irritating in effect to the mass of railwavmen that sterner methods require to be adopted. "Tn response to an appeal bv otir national executive we affirm loyalty to our union and advise the national executive that we are prepared to support and stand united behind any action our executive may consider it necessary to take." DEADLOCK REACHED THE EXECUTIVE'S CONTENTIONS "The Amalgamated Society of Railway Servants is facing a crisis in its relationship with the Government," says an article authorised by the executive council of the A.S.R.S. and published in the New Zealand Railway Review. "Notwithstanding serious dissatisfaction in the service, the rail way men again helped to retain Labour in office, thus proving beyond doubt their unfailing loyalty to the cause of true Labour. But there are angry murmurings among them, and it is well that the Government should know it."

The article refers to the attitude adopted by the Government toward the society's claims for wage increases and the removal of certain long-standing anomalies. "These negotiations, which embrace some glaring and well-known injustices, have dragged on for several years, not because of lassitude on the society's part, but as a direct result of the tardy and unreasonable stand taken by the Government itself," it states. "Now .they have reached a complete deadlock. "As the 1943 election approached, the society was asked to leave its claims till after the election, and a hint was given in several official quarters that everything would be all right," the article continues. "Latest conversations between the society and the Ministers concerned, however, reveal that everything is far from all right, and the net result is now a complete deadlock. Even the overtime after 10 hours issue, which a month ago was practically assured, now seems as remote as ever — except that it is now under consideration for the whole of the Public Service.

"( T p to now every possible constitutional stop has been taken to see the men's claims met, and now the councillors are faced with the problem of what to do next. Whatever decision is made by the executive council in the interests of the men must have the full backing; of the men themselves. If over nn opportunity presented itself for the rank and file of a union to stand behind its executive in their own interests it is now." , PLANES AND SHIPS BRITAIN'S GREAT OUTPUT LOXDOX, Nov. '2O The output of aircraft in Britain in October was the highest ever recorded. In that month twice as manv heavy bombers were produced as in December, 19-12, said Mr. Oliver Lyttelton. Minister of Production, yesterday, when lie visited war factories in Northern ireland. The munitions output was now at about the highest level over reached —SO per cent above the first quarter of 1042. "Naval shipbuilding is still expanding," he added. "In 1913 the completion of major vessels from battleships to corvettes has totalled 170. Over 2000 naval vessels of all types will lie completed. Wo are devoting a large part of our time to the intensive =tudy of specialised forms of equipment and transport necessary to bring the maximum impact to hear on the Japanese F! in | tire. "We have grasped the initiative and must hold it. Now is the time to get after the Germans and overwhelm them bv sheer weight of material. Our plan is bound to harass the Germany army, already dangerously weakened by the disasters of Russia. I say to the workers of the United Kingdom that the moment of supreme effort has come."