THREE ZEROS SHOT DOWN

Otago Daily Times, Issue 25455, 9 February 1944, Page 4

THREE ZEROS SHOT DOWN

NEW ZEALAND WARHAWKS FIGHTER COVER OVER RABAUL (R.N.Z.A.F. Official News Service) BOUGAINVILLE, (Rec. 7 p.m.) Feb. 6. Three Japanese Zeros, which sought to interfere during Allied raids against Rabaul have fallen to New Zealand Warhawk guns in two days. R.N.Z.A.F. and Japanese fighters met in sharp forays when New Zealanders were providing escort cover to Allied bomber forces.

Good shooting by Flying Officer A.’ R. Walker (Wanganui) put a sudden end to a fleeing Zero making for its base on Rabaul. It was the only enemy aricraft which came within range of New Zealand Warhawks covering an Allied Dauntless dive-bomber attack against Tobera airfield. Before reaching the target the New Zealanders saw above them several Zeros which engaged the top cover of Corsairs. The enemy fighters followed the Allied aircraft over the target, but did not attempt to interfere. As the Allied striking force sped away towards Kabanga Bay, several lone Zeros were being attacked high up by Corsairs. One Zero 2000 feet above the warhawks evaded four Corsairs and fled in a shallow dive towards Tobera. As he pulled out of his dive he was approaching Flying Officer Walker, who fired a short burst from about 100 yards. The Zero burst into flames, turned over, and dived into the sea.

Our Warhawks accounted for two Zeros on the previous day, when the New Zealanders were providing close cover for Dauntless and Avenger aircraft which struck at Tobera and Vanupopo with good results. After the bombing run about eight Zeros got through our fighter screen, but did not press home any attacks. ' Sergeant T. A. Stephenson, of Napier, scored hits on a Zero attempting to run through the Allied formation, and the enemy fighter plunged into the sea. Another Zero shared the same fate when it was struck head on by fire from Flight Lieutenant H. E. Boucher, of Auckland. Although general fighting continued halfway to Cape St. George, the enemy eventually broke off his attempts to get through the fighter cover to the Allied divebombers.