AMERICAN PILOTS

Timaru Herald, Volume CLIII, Issue 22474, 8 January 1943, Page 5

AMERICAN PILOTS

Mr Jordan’s Tour N.Z.P.A.—Special Correspondent (Rec. 7.30.) LONDON, Jan. 5. Pleasure at the opportunity of meeting Americans was expressed by Mr W. J. Jordan, High Commissioner for New Zealand, when he visited a fighter station where three American squadrons are based. They are flying Spitfires operationally and were previously members of the Eagle squadrons in the Royal Air Force, but are now serving in the United States Army Air Corps. Mr Jordan, whom Air Commodore A. de T. Nevill accompanied, was received by Colonel Edward W. Anderson, of California, who showed the visitors Spitfires being serviced in hangars. Mr Jordan, who has visited many Royal Air Force squadrons and inspected, their aircraft, was on this occasion interested to see the Americans’ distinctive marking of the five-pointed white star on a blue background, ringed with an orange circle. He went to an operations hut and was then shown combat films including actions at Dieppe in which the Americans participated. He talked with pilots, also ground crews, with whom he was photographed in front of a Spitfire. A Royal Air Force group captain, whose decorations include the D.S.O. and D.F.C., told him that the Americans are first-class pilots—and he should know. Mr Jordan was interested to learn that three American squadrons have between them shot down 78 Germans. Mr Jordan and Air Commodore Nevill to-morrow are visiting an American bomber squadron.