1939-12-12 — Page 11

THE CHỈNÀ MAIL, DECEMBER 12, 1939

PILOT DODGES DEATH FIVE MILES UP

SERGEANT-OBSERVER LESLIE WEBBER, now on honeymoon in Cornwall, has crowded romance and high adventure into life since war began.

As one of the first R.A.F. men sent to France, he jump- ed to safety from a blazing plane five miles up it was his first parachute leap-while German Messerschmitt fighters swooped and machine-gunned all about him. As the hero of this escape, he came home to Plymouth with three weeks' leave and married Miss Phyllis Popperwell, of Devonport.

After the weeding at Ford, originally planned for last September, Sergeant Webber, who is aged twenty-five, told of his adventure. It is one of the most thrilling stories of the war.

"We were on a reconnaissance flight over an important point in the German lines," he said.

"Our plane, in which there were a pilot, gunner and myself, was flying at 28,000 ft. when we encountered Messerschmitt fighters. There was in- tense firing, but although outnumbered "we managed to shoot down several of

their machines.

"My job was to take photographs and, acting to orders, I continued my work as the fight went on. Then, to my horror, I felt the plane lurch as though out of control.

"I leaned over and realised that the worst had happened. Both the pilot and gunner had been shot. and the machine was on fire. tried to get to the pilot; It was impossible. Sud- denly the machine fell into a dive.

CHEATED PLANE AS HE FELL

There was only one thing I could do-to risk disconnecting my oxygen apparatus and jump far it. I worked my way to the rear of the machine, disconnecting my oxygen mask, and then jumped out, It was my first jump.

"As I felt, a German fighter dived towards me. I knew I was supposed to pull the rip cord at 7,000ft., but with the plane still circling round me I was afraid that I might be shot down. "I decided to risk a longer drop. By my reckoning I had dropped about 15,000ft, when I eventually pulled the ring. Fortunately, there was a good wind, and it carried me over the French lines.

KNOCKED UNCONSCIOUS

After drifting for about seven miles I landed in a field. As I did so, my parachute began to spill wind. I hit the ground hard, was knocked un- conscious.

"When I came round, a group of French Army officers surround- ed me. They thought I was a German airman, and each had his revolver drawn.

"Although dazed, I managed to shout 'Anglais.' They examined my uniform under my flying kit and, satisfied that I was not an enemy, be- gan to shower congratulations on me. "After receiving treatment for spinal injuries, I was given three weeks' leave. As soon as I got back home Phyllis and I made plans for the wed- ding. We had only a week to arrange everything-but it's all gone off splen- didly."

ART EXHIBITION

The Exhibition of monotypes by Mrs. Erne Freedlander at St. John's Cathedral Hall has been extended શૈ further day. The paintings will be on view again to-morrow (Wednesday) from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

THE MEN WITHOUT

WINGS

Lets think for a moment of heroes whose praises are unsung of the men who keep the propellers turning when the Royal Air Force is on active service (writes an Associated Press correspondent with the B.E.F. in France.)

A set of greasy overalls is the uni- form of these men. They sport no coveted pilot's wings. Medals seldom come their way.

Yet if work is slackly done, the pilot cannot leave the ground. Disas- ter would dog the Air Force whose engines failed them in the hour of need.

With winter approaching and icy winds already sweeping the hidden aerodromes of the R.A.F. in France, the work of the fitters and riggers becomes daily more important.

HANDS BLUE. WITH COLD

Most of the planes stand in the open fields, cleverly camouflaged but without sheltering hangars. And you know just what happens to the en- gine of your car if you leave it out on a frosty winter night!

Yet at 6 a.m. on the darkened aerodrome, often in keenest cold. or with rain falling in torrents, these mechanics can strip the canvas covers from their engines and set them in motion at a single touch.

"Never once has one of my engines failed to 'start," a young officer from Ontario told me as we watched a busy group dismantling an engine in mid- field. Their hands were so blue with the cold that they could scarcely hold their spanners.

SPARE PARTS SPEED-UP

Often, if only a part of an engine is damaged, this is removed and sent to the depot while a new part is rush- ed to the squadron mechanics. The machine is soon fit for service.

Any spare part not available in France can be obtained from England within twenty-four hours,

So next time you read of the gallant; exploit of some pilot in battle high over the Siegfried Line, remember that his success depended largely up- on young Loa of Birmingham and young Ted from Bethnal Green.

If they had not tuned those engines to perfection and kept them running splendidly, success might have been disaster. The pilot appreciates this, and so should you.

PRINCESS LOUISE

On instructions from the Secretary of State, all flags in the colony were half-masted to-day for Princess Louise, who, it will be recalled, died on December 3.

The police were requested last night to endeavour to locate a Chinese wo- Miss R. Gehring, residing at No. 119, *man, Kam Ng, 22, described as a con- Waterloo Road, Kowloon, has report- cubine. The woman is alleged to ed the theft of a wrist-watch, valu- have absconded with her three-year-ed at $230. The theft occurred on old son..

| Sunday afternoon,

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