BOMBED ROMMEL’S ARMY

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 87, Issue 2, 4 January 1943, Page 4

BOMBED ROMMEL’S ARMY

WANGANUI MAN AMONG N.Z. PILOTS (Special Correspondent N.Z.P.A.) London, Jan. 1. The satisfaction at handing out to the Germans a taste of wnat they gave the New Zealanders in Greece and Crete has been enjoyed by Flying Officer Basil Gray (Waverley) ana Robert T. Fleming (Opotikn, wno were among many New Zealanders combing Rommels army in its lignc irom k.l Alamein. Gray and Fleming went to Egypt last May. Fleming haa an all-New Zealand crew, comprising Pilot-Officers G. Rigg (Masterloni ana M. R. Breed (Wanganui). Sergeants A. Batty (Auckland), R. Beatson (Auckland), and H. Stevens (Wellington) who later flew in other crews. Gray flew out with Pilot-Officer N. Spence (Christchurch) and Sergeants R. Wynyard (Kawhia) and C. Piper (Christcnurch). Spence and Piper are now reported missing, and Stevens has been reported killed, but the others mentioned are expected in England shortly. Gray and Fleming carried out 44 raids each.

"We started operations during the battle at Bir Hacheim, when we bombed aerodromes round El Daba, then during the retreat we straiea the Germans and also bombed more aerodrome,” said Flying-Officer Gray. “When the El Alamein front was established Tobruk became the chief target. It was reported to be the best defended area in the world at that period, and they were all lively raids. My aircraft was once turned upside down when I was caught by a searchtight while we were weaving. A burst of flak exploded right under the starboard wing. We were at 8000 ieet and all the instruments were put out of action. The result was that one could only tell when we were right side up when the searchlights shone from below instead of from above—there was no horizon visible. “Wynyard had an unpleasant moment. He was standing in the astrodome when we somersaulted, and an incendiary bomb which was used to light up the desert for estimating wind-drift dropped and carried the astrodome away. As a result Wynyard's head poked through the hatch while standing upside down. The slip-stream ripped off his helmet, but he was unhurt. I righted the aircraft at 4000 feet.

“I carried out 23 raids over Tobruk and never tound a spot where I could run in and dodge the defences,” said Fleming, "but our greatest satisfaction, especially after seeing the Bth Army retreat, was assisting in its advance. After the first day we had no opposition, which gave us an open season for strafing the retreating Huns. We were able to drop bombs singly wherever we desired.”