HIGH-SPEED COMBAT

Otago Daily Times, Issue 25303, 13 August 1943, Page 5

HIGH-SPEED COMBAT

NEW ZEALAND SUCCESS SIX VICTIMS IN MINUTE • (N.Z.P.A. Special Correspondent) LONDON, Aug.'ll. Four members of the New Zealand Spitfire Squadron shot down six Messerschmitt 109’s and probably destroyed another in an • action lasting about 60 seconds. This is the biggest single success in the squadron’s history, the previous highest score being four destroyed and two probably in April, 1942. It brings the squadron’s score to 54 destroyed, 22 probably destroyed, and 30 damaged. The squadron was led by Squadron Leader John Checketts, of Invercargill, who was only recently awarded the D.F.C. He shot down three of the six and probably another. TMs is believed to be a record for the Fighter Command during an offensive sweep. Other pilots, of course, have shot down three' or more in one flight, but in different types of action. The New Zealand squadron was flying in a wing led by Wing Commander Alan Deere, D. 5.0., D.F.C. and bar. They were escorting bombers over France. Wing Commander Deere was leading a Fighting French squadron covering one “ box ” of bombers. Squadron Leader Checketts, leading the New Zealanders, was covering the other box. They were over the Lille-MerviUe area when Squadron Leader Checketts sighted four Messerschmitts. He led down his section, comprising Flying Officers J. D. Rae, D.F.C. (Auckland), B. E. Gibbs (Taihape), and Pilot Officer H. S. Tucker (Palmerston North), all of whom are normally section leaders. The squadron’s other two sections, led by Flight Lieutenants M. R- D. Hume and M. G. Barnett, both of Wellington, remained to protect the bombers. Blown to Pieces Checketts found eight Messerschmitts instead of four flying in line abreast. One was lagging slightly. He blew it to pieces from a range of 200 yards. The Messerschmitts thereupon veered slightly to port, giving Squadron Leader Checketts a perfect opportunity of shooting down the extreme starboard German at 250 yards to 350 yards range. It blew up so violently that he was temporarily enveloped by the debris. He then attacked the next Messerschmitt. It, too, blew up and went down in flames. By this time -he was flying almost level with a Messerschmitt on his port side. It was then that Flying Officer Rae, who was flying No. 2 to Squadron Leader Checketts and so far protecting his leader's tail in case there were other Germans above, decided to take a hand. He attacked the Messerschmitt on Checketts's port. It blew up in a sheet of white flame, and almost simultaneously Flying Officer Gibbs and Pilot Officer Tucker sent another Messerschmitt down. The latter saw the engine cowlings fly off and then a stream of black smoke and flames. Of the two remaining, one got clear away, and Checketts hit the other. He saw his shells striking and pieces of the fuselage flying off, but did not see it crash. The New Zealanders now had the sky to themselves. Below they could see four fires on. the ground where the Messerschmitts were burning like bonfires, while streaks of black smoke and debris dribbling down from 10,000 feet told a grim tale. 400 Miles an Hour The New Zealanders are now in the highest of spirits, having shot down 13 Germans in as many weeks with only one loss, while Wing Commander Deere’s wing, since he began to lead it in the middle of March, has shot down 51, probably destroyed 7, and damaged 27, with the loss of only 7. Squadron Leader Checketts has shot down 10 Germans since May 30. His rise to prominence has been extraordinarily rapid, as he has been promoted from flying officer since the middle of April. This latest action of the New Zealanders is modern aerial warfare at its grimmest. It was fought at a speed of over 400 miles per. hour. It is true the Germans were surprised, but then they paid the penalty of not keeping a strict lookout. It was an action which was most satisfying to the New Zealand squadron, which, after a dull period of defensive work, ;s now using the latest type of Spitfires. Their role has become, offensive—and they have certainly got the offensive spirit.