N.Z. OFFICER IN COMMAND

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 85, Issue 227, 26 September 1941, Page 5

N.Z. OFFICER IN COMMAND

R.A.F. WING IN RUSSIA ATTACKS ON THE GERMANS London, Sept. 24. An Air Ministry communique states that reports have been received of the first operations carried out by the R.A.F. wing which is now in Russia. A number of patrols have been flown in bad weather and there have been successful encounters with enemy fighters. In its first engagement one of our squadrons destroyed three Messerschmitt 109’s with the loss of one of our fighters, the pilot of which was killed. The sitme squadron later destroyed four Messerschmitt 109’s without loss to themselves.

The wing is commanded oy WingCommander Ramsbottom Isheiwoo i. of Blenheim, New Zealand, and includes officers and men from Biitain. Canada, Australia and Nev: Zealand. 8.0.W.

Wing-Commander Gynes Ramsbottom Isherwood, A.F.C., is a con of Mr. and Mrs. H. L. Ramsbottom Isherwood. of Blenheim. Needless to say, they are intensely proud that their son has been selected for what was apparently an onerous task. Their last news of him indicated that he was stationed in Scotland until recently.

Wing-Commander Isherwood, who received the Air Force Cross last year, was educated at Blenheim. He relinquished a commercial position in 1930 to proceed to England to join the R.A.F. and after serving in India, Egypt and the Sudan was in England at the outbreak of war. He was promoted to Wing - Commander last March. He is married with one young daughter.