AIR BATTLES

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 85, Issue 301, 22 December 1941, Page 7

AIR BATTLES

NEW ZEALAND PILOTS AI(KLANI) BOYS SUCCESS. (0.C.) London, Nov. 17. Another Messerschmitt has been shot down by the New Zealand Fighter Squadron, this time by Sergeant A. S. Kronfeld : Auckland). PilotOfficer W. V. C. Compton (Mission Bav) has been credited with a probable which may be confirmed, but one of the two aircraft credited to Sergeant H. N. Sweetman, also of Auckland, has since been classed as a prob-1 able. Thus the squadron's score remains at 16. Sergeant Kronfeld won his first I confirmed victory when he was protecting his No. 1, a Canadian pilot- ' officer. The Canadian climbed after a i Messerschmitt and the Auckland boy saw a second Messerschmitt sweep on to his leader's tail. Sergeant Kronfeld chased the second German, and shot him down in flames. Over the Channel. Previously Sergeant Kronfeld had blown off part of the wing of a Messerschmitt. The German machine went into a spin, but as it was not seen to crash on land or in the sea it was allowed only as a probable. Sergeant Kronfeld was with PilotOfficer Compton when the latter made an attack on a Messerschmitt. The two New Zealanders had been patrolling over the Channel near the French coast. They saw three Germans, and Compton fired his cannon. Both were certain that the German aeroplane which went dow n was definitely accounted for, but they did not see it crash, as they became involved m a second combat. Recently Sergeant 1. J. Neill (Ruatoria' had a narrow escape from being shot down by six Messerschmitts. The squadron was returning from a fighter sweep over Sl. Onrer. ‘1 hey met with no opposition until they were half-way back to the French coast. Then Sergeant Neill, who was "tail-end Charlie” for his flight, saw the brown smoke of cannon shells shooting past. “Saw I’irceii Fly.” Six Me. 109 F s were on his tail. He turned immediately and faced them. He made a head-on attack and saw pieces fly off one of the Germans. For a time he had to ward off attacks by all six. Then he did a spin dive and escaped. Two other Messerschmitts attacked him before he reached the French coast, but he escaped from them. During his encounter with the six Me. 109Fs a cannon shell splinter hit his Spitlire just outside the cockpit. It has not yet been removed, but the wound is not serious. Several new pilots have joined the squadron, including Sergeant R. J. C. Grant, D.F.M. (Woodville, Hawkes Bay).