SUCCESS OF SOUTH AFRICAN PILOTS
RUGBY, November 17. Hurricane fighters of a famous South African Air Force Squadron once again swept successfully into action on Saturday, states the Air Ministry, when they encountered a formation of Italian G. 50 fighters over the Western Desert. The combat was brief. Two G.so’s were sent crashing to the ground and the Hurricanes, unscathed, proceeded with their task. The South African flight leader flew alongside one enemy aircraft before awerving in and shooting it down from 100 yards range. He was followed into action by a Johannesburg pilot, who later related how the first enemy plane crumpled up in flames. “The pilot baled out but the parachute did not open,” he said. “We saw B long white streak rushing to the ground. By this time I had chosen one G. 50 for myself. I got on his tail and chased him for 10 minutes. The enemy pilot kept the nose of his aircraft down and was diving all the time. Finally, from 300 yards, I let him have it. I did not see the final result, as I thought someone was on my tail. Another pilot saw it crash.”
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https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/ST19411119.2.35
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Southland Times, Issue 24596, 19 November 1941, Page 5
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195SUCCESS OF SOUTH AFRICAN PILOTS Southland Times, Issue 24596, 19 November 1941, Page 5
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