PROTECTION OF SHIPS

Waikato Times, Volume 129, Issue 21549, 11 October 1941, Page 8

PROTECTION OF SHIPS

CATAPULT-LAUNCHED PLANES PILOT-JOCKEY’S BRAVERY (United Press Assn.—Ehv\ Tel. Copyright) LONDON, Oct. 9 Increased protection for ships against attack by hostile aircraft is provided by catapult-launched fighters. Certain ships have been fitted with this equipment. After action with the enemy aircraft, the catapulted fighter lands at a shore base if within range, or if this is impossible, the fighter comes down in the sea as close to the ship as possible and is picked up. These fighters are flown by pilots of the Fleet Air Arm and fighter pilots of the Royal Air Force who have volunteered for this special duty. The recently-announced award of the D.S.O. to Lieutenant Everett, “for bravery, skill and tenacity in many hazardous operational flights, in the protection of shipping,” is connected j with these operations. Lieutenant \ Everett won the Grand National on ! Gregelach in 1929 and has ridden in j five Grand National races since. Fie j is one of the Fleet Air Arm pilots | who are being catapulted in fighter j aircraft from ships at sea. Catapulted in a fighter to deal with j a Focke-Wulf Condor which was seen approaching a convoy, Lieuten- • ant Everett's first attack appeared to produce no results so he delivered a second assault from a different angle. Crash Into Sea The windscreen of his plane suddenly became covered with oil. This he took to be from his own engine, but was cheered to see a small fire in the big German aircraft and realised that the oil was from the FockeWulf. The fire spread and the big four-engined bomber crashed into the sea. Lieutenant Everett then had to consider where he was. He found the ship from which he had been catapulted 45 miles away from where he finished the fight. He knew he could not reach a shore base and tried unsuccessfully to bale out. Eventually he had to land in the sea. The fighter sank in a few seconds but he managed to get clear in time and was picked up safely.