GUNS BLAZE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 9 July 1942, Page 3

GUNS BLAZE

FROM NEW ZEALAND LINES ENEMY KEPT ON MOVE. HEAVY R.A.F. RAIDS HEARTEN TROOPS.. (Official War Correspondent, N.Z.E.F.) WESTERN DESERT, July 2. The guns are again barking from the New Zealand lines, blazing through a dusty haze at the enemy, who has not remained still since his arrival in this part of Egypt. He could not remain still with security if he wanted to—not within range of our guns. His first serious contact with the New Zealanders since they took up the new positions occurred last evening, when two small columns of tanks and motorised infantry ventured close 1 enough to one brigade to warrant attention . The infantry were allowed to alight in the hope that they would come within machine-gun range, but they were too wary, and they made off under our shellfire. The heavy R.A.F. raids have had a heartening effect, particularly as the troops previously were subjected to frequent bombing attacks. This morning I visited the brigade concerned in last evening’s activity. The enemy had not repeated his approach, but small numbers of transport and guns were being shelled by our artillery, and the fire was being returned. “Great sport, isn’t it?” re'marked the brigadier (from Hawke s Bay) as he entered his headquarters dugout about 10 seconds ahead of a shellburst. I eyed the roof of the dugout dubiously and wondered. The brigadier had been out to the forward positions, where his car was sighted by the enemy and was fired upon without effect. The troops were well dug in and emerged only for their meals. I learned that distant smoke which I had passed was from a burning 'Messerschmitt brought down by the brigade s light ack-ack. “They were tremendously bucked about it,” said the briga-, dier. Returning, I halted by a knoll where a company of South Islanders was installed. The men were equipped with a variety of weapons, and they had named the knoll “Malta.” Our gunfire has continued intermittently throughout the afternoon, breaking up enemy concentrations. Patrols have been active and in close contact with the enemy day and night.

TOUGH FIGHTERS NEW ZEALAND PILOTS IN ACTION. DESTRUCTION OF ENEMY MACHINES. (Official War Correspondent, N.Z.E.F.) CAIRO, July 7. While New Zealand’s ground forces 1 cover themselves with glory in the destructive actions against Rommel s African army, New Zealand pilots are contributing much to the general brilliant success of the R.A.F. There are not many New Zealanders attached to the Middle East squadrons, but those who are have proved themselves just as tough in the air as the Kiwis are on the ground. One New Zealand pilot, Flight Sergeant E. L. (“Nipper”) Joyce, Hamilton, in a thrilling description of a fighter engagement, said, “We were on a patrolling sweep over the north El Alamein line when we intercepted three Junkers 88s, escorted by six Messerschmitt 109 s. As we went down to the attack we were jumped by 12 Messerschmitt 109 s from above, A terrific dogfight developed. I got on to the tail of one and gave it a two-sec-ond burst. I saw my cannon shells burst in the German’s cockpit, and in a split second the 109 flew to bits.” By this time the New Zealand pilot was after a second Axis plane, and he did not realise that he himself was being attacked. “Luckily my number two saw this and shot my assailant down in flames, while I managed to get in a second burst on the one I was after,” he said. Flashes of flame burst from each wing, but the pilot only counted that plane as damaged. Two Junkers 87s were accounted for by Sergeant A. G. (“Tug”) Wilson, Canterbury. “The first plane I hit exploded in mid-air,” he said. “Right alongside was another, and I gave it a two to three-second burst, and it went straight down in flames. It was a grand melee while it lasted.”