A GRIM FIGHT

Waikato Independent, Volume XLIII, Issue 3947, 26 January 1944, Page 3

A GRIM FIGHT

TWO AGAINST TWELVE

CAMBRIDGE PILOT’S ESCAPE

. In a fierce running battle over the southern sea approach to Rabauly two Ventura bombers of the R.N.Z.A.F. outfought a dozen Zeros and made good their escape after shooting two of the enemy into the sea and probably destroying three more and damaging another two. Both the New Zealand aircraft were damaged, but landed safely at their base. An official account of the battle (describes it as a grim dogfight. One lof the Venturas was captained and piloted by Pilot-Ofiicer D. F. Ayson UNew Plymouth). This plane shot down two Japanese fig'hters for certain and so damaged another three as to make them possible losses. This aircraft received 21 hits.* The report further states: — The other Ventura was jumped by three Zeros from above. Two of the enemy pressed the attack home, causing damage to the bomber’s port motor and cutting tail trim and rudder control cables. The attackers scored numerous hits throughout the plane, but tracer was seen going into two Zeros and smoke was seen coming from the cowls of one. The Ventura started taking evasive action. As soon as it had. levelled out it got into cloud and jettisoned the bombs. It continued cloud-hopping for a quarter of an hour, then set a course for home. The crew of this aircraft were Flying-Ofli'cer R. J. Alford (Cambridge), captain, FlyingOfficer A. \Y. McClelland (North Canterbury), wireless operator, Flight-Sergeant R. J. F. Reid (Auckland), Flight-Sergeant J. 0. Leaf (Auckland), as fire controller in the astro-hatch, and Sergeant M’hiting. turret gunner.