THREE ZEROS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 9 February 1944, Page 3

THREE ZEROS

DESTROYED BY NEW ZEALAND AIRMEN. DURING RAIDS ON RABAUL. (R.N.Z.A.F. Official News Service.) BOUGAINVILLE, February 6. Seeking to interfere during Allied raids against Rabaul, three Japanese Zeros have fallen to New Zealand Warhawk guns in two days. R.N.Z.A.F. and Japanese fighters met in sharp forays when the New Zealanders were providing escort cover- to Allied bomber forces. Good shooting by Flying Officer A. R. Walker, Wanganui, put a sudden end to a fleeing Zero making for its base on Rabaul. It was the only enemy aircraft which came within range of New Zealand Warhawks covering an Allied Dauntless dive-bomber attack against Tobera airfield. Before reaching the target, the New Zealanders saw above them several Zeros which engaged the top cover of Corsairs. Enemy fighters followed the Allied aircraft over the target, but did not attempt to interfere. As the Allied striking force sped away toward Kabanga Bay, several lone Zeros were being attacked high up by the Corsairs. One Zero 2000 ft. above the Warhawks evaded four Corsairs and fled in a shallow dive toward Tobera. As he pulled out of his dive he approached Walker, who fired a short burst from about 100 yards. The Zero burst into flames, flicked over and dived into the sea. Our Warhawks accounted for two Zeros on the previous day when the New Zealanders were providing close cover for Dauntless and Avenger aircraft which struck at Tobera and Vanupopo, with good results. After the bombing run, about eight Zeros got through our fighter screen, but did not press home any attacks. Sergeant T. A. Stephenson, Napier, scored hits on a Zero attempting to run through the Allied formation anti the enemy fighter plunged into the sea. Another Zero shared the same fate when it was struck head-on by fire from Flight Lieutenant 11. E. Boucher, Auckland. Though general fighting continued half-way to Capo St. George, the enemy eventually broke off his attempts to get through the fighter cover to the Allied dive-bombers.