Post by Dave Homewood on May 21, 2021 16:56:12 GMT 12
LONELY WAIT
NEW ZEALAND AIRMAN
EXCITING EXPERIENCES
MANY SUCCESSFUL RAIDS
(United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright) (Special Correspondent} LONDON, July 21
To wait two days with a wireless operator in a crashed Wellington bomber 12 miles south of Tobruk while the remainder of the crew walked to El Adem for help was among the experiences of Sergeant Athol James, D.F.M.. of Wadestown, one of the few New Zealand air gunners to complete two tours of operations, carrying out 57 raids.
Sergeant James said: “We were going to Tripoli when the engines packed up. We made a crash landing safely, and I and the wireless operator were left to guard the aircraft. It was a lonely spell, including a severe sandstorm lasting six hours. We lay in bunks inside the wimpey trying to sleep, while wind and sand howled round eerily. We read and slept most of the time, until the members of the crew returned, after which we abandoned the aircraft after removing the valuables.”
Sergeant James had the distinction of being one of the original members of No. 75 New Zealand Bomber Squadron which he joined when it was a flight commanded by Group Captain M. W. Buckley. Sergeant James carried out 32 raids with the No. 75 Squadron, 21 of which were with Squadron Leader J. F. Lucas, D.F.C. and Bar, of Balclutha, who is now in New Zealand.
He carried out 28 raids in the Middle East and several over Malta. His experiences include flying through a balloon barrage at Hamburg, bombing Palermo twice in one night from Malta, and being hit by flak over Berlin.
“We were two months in Malta at the end of last year, when the Germans frequently interrupted our take-offs, their bombing causing us to run several times for shelter. I have the greatest admiration for the ground staff at Malta. They are doing an excellent job.” Sergeant James is on leave in London.
WAIKATO TIMES, 21 JULY 1942
NEW ZEALAND AIRMAN
EXCITING EXPERIENCES
MANY SUCCESSFUL RAIDS
(United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright) (Special Correspondent} LONDON, July 21
To wait two days with a wireless operator in a crashed Wellington bomber 12 miles south of Tobruk while the remainder of the crew walked to El Adem for help was among the experiences of Sergeant Athol James, D.F.M.. of Wadestown, one of the few New Zealand air gunners to complete two tours of operations, carrying out 57 raids.
Sergeant James said: “We were going to Tripoli when the engines packed up. We made a crash landing safely, and I and the wireless operator were left to guard the aircraft. It was a lonely spell, including a severe sandstorm lasting six hours. We lay in bunks inside the wimpey trying to sleep, while wind and sand howled round eerily. We read and slept most of the time, until the members of the crew returned, after which we abandoned the aircraft after removing the valuables.”
Sergeant James had the distinction of being one of the original members of No. 75 New Zealand Bomber Squadron which he joined when it was a flight commanded by Group Captain M. W. Buckley. Sergeant James carried out 32 raids with the No. 75 Squadron, 21 of which were with Squadron Leader J. F. Lucas, D.F.C. and Bar, of Balclutha, who is now in New Zealand.
He carried out 28 raids in the Middle East and several over Malta. His experiences include flying through a balloon barrage at Hamburg, bombing Palermo twice in one night from Malta, and being hit by flak over Berlin.
“We were two months in Malta at the end of last year, when the Germans frequently interrupted our take-offs, their bombing causing us to run several times for shelter. I have the greatest admiration for the ground staff at Malta. They are doing an excellent job.” Sergeant James is on leave in London.
WAIKATO TIMES, 21 JULY 1942
