N.Z. AIR SQUADRONS

Camp News, Volume 2, Issue 86, 22 August 1941, Page 4

N.Z. AIR SQUADRONS

Visits By Mr. Fraser

The New Zealand Prime Minister, Mr. Fraser, and the High Commis sioner, Mr. Jordan, visited the New Zealand fighter squadron at its operational station. Mr. Fraser, seated on blankets and a mattress in a pilots’ hut, chatted with “the boys.” K

The squadron has shot down five Germans, of which Flight Lieutenant E. P. Wells, of Cambridge, has scored three and Squadron Leader M. W. B. Knight, of Dannevirke, and Pilot Officer Charles Stewart, of Wellington, have bagged one each.

Mr. Fraser told the pilots that their experience would be valuable if they returned to New Zealand, and asked whether they would like to go.

Squadron Leader Knight said: “Yes. but I should like to see this season out.”

While Mr. Fraser was inspecting the Spitfires, Squadron Leader Alan Deere, D.F.C., of Wanganui, who has shot down 17 Germans, landed. Mr. Fraser congratulated him on his narrow escape when his fighter was damaged by gunfire over France and he was forced to limp over the Channel, prepared' to bale out at any moment, but reached his base safely. One piece of shrapnel stuck so securely in the glycol tank that it prevented the oil from leaking out.

Mr. Fraser visited a hospital and saw Sergeant I. J. McNeill, of Ruatoki, who was shaken after a forced 'anding. Mr. Fraser heard that planes of the New Zealand squadron are engaged in escort duties for sweeps, over France.

At Bomber Station.

Arriving at the station a few hours after their planes had returned from plastering Hanover, Mr. Fraser visited the New Zealand bomber squadron. Among the men was the Victoria Cross winner, Sergeant J. A. Ward, to whom Mr. Fraser said, “New Zealand is very proud of you. I congratulate you most heartily on your welldeserved honour.” Mr. Fraser was

introduced to the members of Sergeant Ward’s crew, including the Aucklander, Sergeant Gunner Box, D.F.M., and Sergeant Observer L. A. Lawton, Wellington.

The squadron paraded at a hangar and Mr. Fraser walked down the lines shaking hands with every man. He talked to the men in the sergeant's mess, the audience including more than a dozen D.F.C.’s and D.F.M.’s who had distinguished themselves over Germany. The airmen told Mr. Fraser that they wanted, before returning home, to finish the job for which they went to England. Mr. Fraser has cancelled his Belfast visit. It is believed that this is because his presence is required in London owing to the Far East crisis.