Tom Fitzgerald's Test Flying Encounter With A Do217
Jun 13, 2023 8:33:16 GMT 12
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Post by Dave Homewood on Jun 13, 2023 8:33:16 GMT 12
From the New Zealand Herald, 6 August 1942.
DAMAGED DORNIER
PILOT IN TEST PLANE
LONDON. Aug. 4
Squadron-Leader T. B. Fitzgerald, , D.F.C., of Temuka, South Canterbury, at present detached from the Fighter Command as a test pilot for the Hawker Aircraft Company, the makers of the Hurricane, is the hero of one of the war's most unusual interceptions.
Piloting an old Hurricane used in the Battle of Britain, Squadron-Leader Fitzgerald was on a business and test flight in the East Midlands when, from thick mist and cloud, came the whine of bullets from a Dornier 217.
"I got a terrific shock," said the airman later. "I was just stooging along as in peacetime at 200 ft. The Dornier was above me, and I then climbed to 500 ft. My machine-guns had not been used for a long time, but I got in a burst with eight guns at 200 yards and hit the Dormer on the port wing. He climbed to the clouds without returning the fire. I followed and got in a second burst at 400 yards. I should think this is the first time an enemy plane has been damaged by a test plane."
Squadron-Leader Fitzgerald, who is 25, is 6ft. high. He came to Britain in 1938 and was awarded the D.F.C. in 1940 at the Battle of Sedan when, as a bomber pilot, he distinguished himself by a successful and daring low-level attack. During a second raid a few days later he was wounded, but effected a forced landing, saving the lives of his crew.
DAMAGED DORNIER
PILOT IN TEST PLANE
LONDON. Aug. 4
Squadron-Leader T. B. Fitzgerald, , D.F.C., of Temuka, South Canterbury, at present detached from the Fighter Command as a test pilot for the Hawker Aircraft Company, the makers of the Hurricane, is the hero of one of the war's most unusual interceptions.
Piloting an old Hurricane used in the Battle of Britain, Squadron-Leader Fitzgerald was on a business and test flight in the East Midlands when, from thick mist and cloud, came the whine of bullets from a Dornier 217.
"I got a terrific shock," said the airman later. "I was just stooging along as in peacetime at 200 ft. The Dornier was above me, and I then climbed to 500 ft. My machine-guns had not been used for a long time, but I got in a burst with eight guns at 200 yards and hit the Dormer on the port wing. He climbed to the clouds without returning the fire. I followed and got in a second burst at 400 yards. I should think this is the first time an enemy plane has been damaged by a test plane."
Squadron-Leader Fitzgerald, who is 25, is 6ft. high. He came to Britain in 1938 and was awarded the D.F.C. in 1940 at the Battle of Sedan when, as a bomber pilot, he distinguished himself by a successful and daring low-level attack. During a second raid a few days later he was wounded, but effected a forced landing, saving the lives of his crew.
