“A GRAND SQUADRON”

Waikato Times, Volume 195, Issue 22467, 30 September 1944, Page 5

“A GRAND SQUADRON”

TRIBUTE TO NEW ZEALANDERS j (Special Correspondent) (Received Sept. 30, 11.30 a.m.) LONDON, Sept. 29 Squadron-Leader J. G. Pattison, D.F.C., of Waipawa, has been appointed commanding officer of the New Zealand Spitfire Squadron, now operating in France. He succeeds Squadron-Leader J. Niven, D.F.C., of Scotland, who had led the squadron since just before “D Day” and has now completed his tour of operations. Squadron-Leader Pattison .is no stranger to the squadron, for he operated with it during 1942. He was one of “the few” who fought during the Battle of Britain. He has carried out 130 operations on Spitfires, flying about 300 operational hours. Within a day or so of overtaking his new command he led the New Zealanders on a dive-bombing attack on a German gun, emplacement at Calais, when eleven of twelve bombs hit the j target. The squadron has recently i been concentrating on this type of; work, in co-operation with the Canadian Army, and made an equally accurate attack at Dunkirk, which the Germans were using as a strongpoint. Wing-Commander Harries, an Englishman who is leading the wing to which the New Zealanders are attached, said of the squadron: “The boys are doing very well indeed. It is a grand squadron, with a terrific spirit.”