GOOD WORK DONE

Waikato Times, Volume 131, Issue 21910, 14 December 1942, Page 2

GOOD WORK DONE

NEW ZEALAND SQUADRON 4 OPERATIONAL ACTIVITY PART PLAYED IN RAIDS (United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright) (Special Correspondent/ LONDON, Dec. 12 The New Zealand Spitfire Squadron, although it was withdrawn from the front line and has been in reserve since July, has been fulfilling a number of operational roles. The squadron’s most notable operation since it arrived at its present aerodrome was at Dieppe. The squadron was also honoured by being selected to provide fighter cover for the French North Africa convoy as it steamed out into the Atlantic. They flew over various groups of ships, including some of 20,000 tons, and described it as an amazing sight. For the raid against Eindhcven, in which the New Zealand Lockheed Ventura squadron participated, Spitfires were also present. Their role was to patrol the coast off Holland when the bombers were returning from the raid and to tackle any German fighters, but the New Zealanders saw only a number of bombers and no German fighters. New Zealand Spitfire pilots have also accompanied American Flying Fortresses on raids. Sometimes they preceded the bombers to “clear the air.” -Others went in behind the Flying Fortresses. They have also carried out a number of raids in twos, threes or fours to seek German aircraft on the ground or in the air, i or to shoot up trains, barges and transports. Pilot-Officer A. R. Robson, D.F.M. (Hastings), Sergeant L. B. Gordon (Invercargill) and Sergeant H. S. Tucker (Palmerston North) set out on a raid recently and were approaching the enemy-occupied coastline when Sergeant Gordon’s airscrew hit a high wave. It caused three or four inches to be chipped off the airscrew and it was considered advisable for him to return. Amazing Escape Sergeant Tucker later had an amazing escape when he flexv into a mound of earth when shooting up a train. He returned with a badly dented spinner, but his airscrew was not harmed. The squadron has produced a good football team, which has played and won nine matches and has also defeated the Oundle Public School, which previously was undefeated in 16 games throughout the season, including matches against other Royal Air Force units, but the New Zealanders beat them by 17 points to 5. Americans recently arrived to share the station with the New Zealanders. Flight-Lieutenant H. Baker, D.F.C. (Dunedin), was invited to give the Americans a lecture on lessons learned in sweeps. An excellent spirit exists between the New Zealand pilots and the English ground crews. During the Dieppe raid the ground crews worked for nearly two days, eating chiefly sandwiches and no hot meals. The New Zealanders were so pleased with the way the ground crews stood up to the job that they clubbed in for a party for them. The ground crews insisted that each pilot sing a song. _ _ _ _ * Squadron-Leader R. J. O. Grant, D.F.M. (Auckland), who is the commanding officer, has been joined in the squadron by his brother, PilotOfficer I, A. C. Grant.