NEW ZEALAND AIRMEN

Otago Daily Times, Issue 25275, 12 July 1943, Page 2

NEW ZEALAND AIRMEN

THE TYPHOON SQUADRON INCIDENT OVER CAEN (N.Z.P.A. Special Correspondent) (Rec. 7 p.m.) LONDON, July 9. The Germans at the Caen aerodrome, in France, were probably amazed recently when a Typhoon performed a “victory roll’’ during an attack by Typhoon fighters and Typhoon bombers. The pilot was Squadron Leader D. J. Scott, D.F.C. and bar, of Greymouth. He was leading the New Zealand Typhoon Squadron, which included some new boys on their first operation. They met concentrated light and heavy flak. Its effect is somewhat unnerving when encountered for the first time, so Squadron Leader Scott, to encourage them, did a roll. Subsequently he discounted it, saying “ it was probably a shell bursting under me which turned me over.”

That incident is typical of the squadron’s high spirit. An English group captain, commenting on this New Zealand Typhoon squadron, said: “It is probably the best of its kind in Fighter Command to-day!” In addition to a defensive role, these “ Tiffie boys ” have carried out 30 offensive "operations over enemy-occupied territory since April. They have several times provided a fighter escort for Typhoon bombers, and taken part in attacks on Caen, Abbeville, Triqueville, Bernay, Poix Maupertus, Boulogne, Cherbourg, and Le Havre.

The squadron is now in “ a verybusy season,” being at readiness from dawn to dusk —18 hours, but, in addition to long hours and much flying, they have found time to make their dispersal huts among the most attractive in Fighter Command. They have painted the walls’sky-blue, polished the floors and laid down carpets, while outside they have made strips of lawn and planted shrubs and flowers. They have also made a large kitchen garden in which they grow tomatoes, lettuces and runner beans. This has been done on Squadron Leader Scott’s initiative. He has also infused the ground crews with so much enthusiasm that they keep the Typhoons spotless, even painting the wheels of the automatic starters.

Flight Lieutenant H. N. Sweetman, D.F.C., of Auckland, has now left the squadron for a rest period, and has been succeeded as flight commander by I. D. Waddy, of Seddon, who was promoted flight lieutenant. Other members of the squadron include Flight Lieutenant A. E. Umbers (Dunedin), Flying Officers R. J. Dali (Christchurch). J. R. Cullen (Waihi). C. N. Gall (Rangiriri), A. H. Smith (Auckland), J. McCaw (Kurow), R. J. Appleton (Wellington), V. C. Fittall (Taumarunui), Pilot Officers A. N. Sames (Onehunga), F. Murphy, D.F.C. (Wellington), R. H. Fitzgibbon (North Canterbury), N. E. Preston (Wellington), N. W. Faircloth (Dunedin), K. G. Taylor-Cannon (Alexandra), Warrant Officers J. A. Froggatt (Dunedin), J. G. Wilson (Fairlie), Flight Sergeants M. O. Jorgensen (Auckland), W. B. Tyerman (Raurimu), H. C. Saward (Pukekohe), D. G. Fail (Dunedin), B. C. Thompson (Dannevirke), W. J. Swinton (Raukokore), K. McCarthy (Auckland), R. J. Danzey (Auckland), J. R. Powell (Christchurch), L. Walker (New Plymouth) and J. Sheddan.