N.Z. FIGHTER SQUADRON

Timaru Herald, Volume CLI, Issue 22253, 22 April 1942, Page 4

N.Z. FIGHTER SQUADRON

ACTIVITIES IN MALAYA A Magnificent Record By Telegraph—Press Association WELLINGTON, April 21. RECORD of the New Zealand Fighter Squadron 1 which served in Malaya is one of which the Dominion may well be proud,” said the Hon. F. Jones to-night, in releasing the official account of the activities of. the Squadron. “The New Zealanders were in the thick of the fighting when the Japanese launched their attacks on Malaya, and up till the time they left Singapore, shortly before the fall of that city, they experienced almost everything that modern blitz warfare has to offer.

“I am pleased to say that the casualties were, in view of the circumstances, amazingly light, and, although some members of the unit were not successfully evacuated, the number who have returned to New Zealand is considerably larger than might have been expected.

"Everything possible is being done to trace missing personnel, and the next-of-kin of these men may be assured that immedately any definite information comes to hand they will be advised by urgent telegram.

“An official account of the activities of the Fighter Squadron has been prepared, and this I have been pleased to release so that the Dominion may know something of the work done by the officers and airmen of this unit.” Official Account Th? New Zealand Fighter Squadron assembled for the first time on September 2. 1941, at an Air Force station in New Zealand, where it was equipped for overseas service. The * advance party left on September 11, and arrived at Singapore on October 10 after an uneventful voyage. It was met there by Squadron Leader W. G. Clouston, D.F.C., and his two flight commanders, Flight Lieutenant (now Squadron Leader) J. N. MacKenzle, D.F.C., and Flight Lieutenant J. R. Hutcheson. These three officers were veteran fighter pilots with an impressive war record. The remainder of the Squadron arrived at different intervals, and on October 20 active operational training was commenced. It may be mentioned here that the ground staff of the Squadron, as well as the pilots, were sent from New Zealand. Other New Zealanders serving with the Royal Air Force were attached to the Squadron on its arrival in Malaya. Certain Royal Air Force personnel were also attached, but with these few exceptions the unit was composed entirely of New Zealanders. Intensive training was carried on by the Squadron during October and November in formation flying, aerobatics, reconnaissance. Army co-opera-tion, etc., but the problem of supnlies and equipment was one which considerab'y taxed the resourcefulness of the equipment officers. These difficulties were met as they arose, and the Squadron continued to prepare for what might come. On December 7, war with Japan broke out, and a state of first emergency was declared. In spite of the short period of preparation and all the initial difficulties which had to be met, the Squadron was ouickly placed on a war footing, and within a few hours was prepared for its first war operations. The first enemy bombing raid in Malaya occurred early on December 8 at Kotu Baru. but it was not until one month later that the New Zealand Souadron’s aerodrome at Kallang was bombed. In the meantime, the Squadron had taken part in many operational flights against the enemy. The first defensive air patrol of Singapore was carried out early on December 8. Two days late-, on December 10, aircraft took off in an endeavour to locate the Prince of Wales and the Renulse. which were then being attacked. They arrived In time to escort a destroyer which had picked up survivors and several patrols were then carried out over the area. For the next few davs, routine patrols were carried out and several Japanese reconnaissance aircraft were chased without results.

On January 9, the aerodrome was heavily bombed. Station buildings were hit, but there were no casualties.

First Big Dogfight Three days later, on January 12, the Squadron was involved in its first big dogfight with the enemy. A large formation of Japanese fighters was encountered over Johore at 12,000 feet, and in a few moments the opposing aircraft were engaged in combat. Our arcraft were heavily outnumbered, and the enemy had the advantage of superior height. Two of our aircraft were shot down, but both the pilots landed safely by parachute. Other machines were damaged, but, fortunately, there were no casualties. During the next day, patrols and skirmishes were almost continuous. One pilot baled out into the sea when his aircraft caught fire, and was rescued by some Chinese in a sampan. He returned to Kallang aerodrome none the worse for his adventure. A second pilot experienced a similar adventure shortly afterwards, and a third pilot was shot down into the sea and swam some 400 yards to a small island. The amount of damage done to enemy aircraft during these actions could not be accurately observed.

During the next three days, many attacks were made on large Japanese formations, but our pilots were still heavily outnumbered, and in the confusion of the dogfights the amount of damage done to enemy aircraft could not be ascertained. At least one Japanese aircraft was shot down on January 15. On the following day. six aircraft of the New Zealand Fighter Squadron escorted British bombers attacking enemy transports, but no enemy fighters were met on this occasion. The Squadron had a successful day on Januarv 19, when it destroyed two enemy fighters for certain and three probably, with no loss to itself. A reconnaissance of Kuala Lumpur was carried out later on the same day. and as a result of this, a force of Flying Fortresses bombed the aerodrome that night. On January 20. an attack was made on Japanese bombers near Muar, forcing them to iettison their bombs and flee. One was destroyed for certain and two others damaged. This attack was carried out in conjuncton with an Australian Squadron. A heavy bombing attack was made on the Fighter Squadron's aerodrome

on January 22, just as a flight of aircraft was about to take off. A bomb landed close to one of the aircraft, and the pilot later died from the injuries he received. A New Zealand member of the ground staff was killed instantaneously by bomb splinters. He had stopped to make certain that the aircraft he was servicing left the aerodrome before he raced for cover, but was then too late. During ,the raid, a telephone operator sat under a table and gave a running commentary on the scene. Several buildings were wrecked, and five airmen, disregarding the exploding ammunition, succeeded in extinguishing a fire which broke out in the ammunition filling room. Given Hurricanes Shortly after this came the news that the Squadron was to be .re-equipped with Hurrcane fighters. Some excellent work was done by the ground staff in checking the machines and preparing them for operations. On January 25. the Squadron was engaged in an attack on a large formation of Japanese bombers, forcing them to jettison their bombs. Many Japanese were damaged in the ensuing chase, all our aircraft returning safely. Another heavy raid on the aerodrome was carried out by the Japanese on January 27, when a formation of 27 bombers appeared with very little warning. A large number of bombs were dropped, and eight pilots, who where sheltering in a sandbagged gun emplacement, were buried when a bomb dropped very close. They were pulled out little the worse for the experience. A second wave of 27 bombers came over 40 minutes later, and, although there were many near misses on the shelter trenches, none of the New Zealanders was injured. Through all their heavy bombing, officers and men behaved magnificently and immediately the Japanese left the aerodrome, parties were at work repairing damage and nrenaring their own aircraft to take off. Heavy bombing was again carried out on the following two days, and all men who were not working on aircraft repairs were engaged in filling bomb craters in the aerodrome.

On January 31, the Squadron was advised to make preparations to move immediately. During that night, there was much bombing activity, several buildings being hit. Fortunately, there were no casualties. During the next few days preparations were made for the removal of the Squadron. The ground crews worked extremely hard to repair damaged aircraft, and everything possible was done to get all aircraft in the air for an evacuation. Parties from the Squadron were sent to nearby aerodromes to assist in removing their aircraft, and this was generally a period of tremendous activity for both air crews and ground staff.

Squadron Evacuated Meanwhile, enemy bombing raids were increasing in intensity, and some of the aerodromes came under the direct shellfire of the enemy. While preparations for evacuation were continuing at Singapore, temporary bases were being prepared in the Dutch East Indies to receive the units as they arrived. Aircraft were flown to these bases, and on February 11 the remainder of the Squadron was embarked on a shin at Singapore. This sailed the next morning, and shortly afterwards was heavily bombed by several waves of Jananese aircraft. Members of the Squadron personnel manned Lewis guns and tommy-guns and also formed a firing party with rifles. One enemy aircraft was destroyed and one damaged as a result of the concentrated barrage they put up. Three hits were scored on the ship during the first attacks, but none of the Squadron personnel was hurt. Waves of bombers continued to come over until mid-day, but thep remained at a high level and no more direct hits were scored, although there were some near misses. The ship arrived at Batavia on February 13, where the Souadron personnel disembarked. During the next two or three days, preparations were made to fit the Squadron’s aircraft for operations, and by February 18 patrols were being carcaried out. Four days later the Squadron was instructed to move to Australia, the aircraft being handed over to another unit. Some of the New Zealand pilots remained to assist iin the defence of Java, and news of I these men is still awaited. UnfortunI ately, it now appears that they have been captured. On February 23 the Squadron sailed for Australia, arriving on March 2. After three weeks in Australia, , the Squadron returned to New Zealand. A Magnificent Record “This account,” said Mr Jones, “must necesarily. leave unsaid many details of the New Zealand Fighter Squadron’s activities, and I regret it is not possible to record at the present time the individual deeds of members of the Squadron, who contributed to its gallant record. The officers in charge, the fighter pilots, the engineer officers, the administrative and equipment officers, and the ground staff, did a grand job of work under difficult conditions and in the face of the heaviest enemy opposition. At all times they carried out their duties with devotion and determination and worthily upheld the tradition of the New Zealand air squadrons overseas. We are proud lof them, and are thankful that so i many have returned to bring the benefit of their knowledge and experience I back to New Zealand.”