TEMPEST SQUADRON

Otago Daily Times, Issue 25737, 8 January 1945, Page 2

TEMPEST SQUADRON

NEW ZEALAND CREWS ENEMY PLANES DESTROYED (N.Z.P.A. Special Correspondent) LONDON. Jan. 5. The New Zealand Tempest Squadron destroyed five Focke-Wulf 190’s on January 1, when the Luftwaffe made surprise low-level attacks on a number of Allied airfields in Hoiland and Belgium. Two were shot down by the new commanding officer, Squadron Leader A. E. Umbers, D.F.C. and bar, of Dunedin, one each was destroyed by Flying Officer E. W. Trott, of Dunedin, and Pilot Officers G. J. Hooper, of Wellington, and C. J. Sheddan, of Waiinate. pilot Officer J. Steedman, of Whangarei, probably destroyed another. _ The New Zealanders had taken off early in the morning for a big sweep over Germany. They had been flying on their course for about five minutes when they received a report by radio telephone that a large number of German aircraft were approaching Teloond. Umbers immediately led his squadron in that direction, and soon sighted many Focke-Wulf planes flying at tree.top height. Umbers got on the tail of one of the enemy planes and blew it up. Then he shot down another after a dogfight. Trott actually shot down a Focke-Wulf after a running fight right over the squadron's airfield. When the squadron pilots landed they found the airfield unharmed. Only one” aircraftman was slightly wounded, being hit in the leg.