1940-07-06 — Page 5

THE CHINA MAIL, JULY 6, 1940

THRILLING R. A. F. STORY Pilot's Amazing Adventure In Northern Operations

ENCOUNTER WITH GERMANS AFTER FORCED LANDING

A PILOT OF ONE of the machines of the Fleet Air Arm operating near Aandalsnes, in Norway, has now told the thrilling story of an adventure which he and his observer, whom he calls Smith, had after a fight with a Heinkel 111 which they helped to bring down.

At 11,000 feet, however, his engine quietly petered out and he made a successful forced landing beside a frozen lake.

For more than two hours the pilot and Smith trudged through the snow, which was four feet to six feet deep, to a small hut in which they decided to shelter for the night.

At about 6.15 next morning, says the pilot "we heard a whistle being blown and immediately jumped to the conclusion that a Norwegian ski patrol had found us, but on going outside we saw a figure in grey uniform about 200 yards away.

"Leaving Smith at the hut I went towards the stranger, and when I got near was not a little disturbed to find that his uniform had German eagles on, the collar, and that he had a large revolver at his waist.

as I could boast of one trip to Switzer- land some ten years ago it was ar- ranged that I should go. Unfortun- ately, the German pilot insisted that one of his crew should accompany me, and we did not feel in a position

to argue.

the

"In spite of numerous tumbles I managed to outpace the German, who snow, was floundering through and after, I had gone about half mile I had out-distanced him by some two hundred yards.

GERMAN KILLED

a

"He could speak no English and I

"At this point a Norwegian ski could speak no German, but I man- aged to understand that he had two patrol, dressed in white, appeared as friends coming along, and, as neither if from nowhere, halted us and cover- made to Smith nor I were armed, the situationed us with rifles. I was was becoming rather tricky. His two friends then arrived, also both armed, and they all insisted on shaking hands. THEIR VICTIMSI Smith and I asked them into our hut. One of them, an air pilot, was an officer; the other two were parently members of his crew, so we assumed that they came from a Ger- man aircraft which must have been brought down in the vicinity.

take off my skis and stood there pro- claiming loudly I was English. Un- fortunately, the German also decided to say he was English, and after a few moments two shots rang out, and he dropped dead. (The Norwegians after- ap-wards stated that he had

draw his pistol.) The other shot just missed me, but certainly gave me a scare!

tried to

the

'Two or three of the Norwegians then-came up and searched me in "All three were very friendly,

no uncertain manner. The only. and although they must have known

thing had on me which made that we were unarmed they did not

them at all doubtful as to whether threaten us in any way. The langu-

*or not I was German was a 20. plece age problem was difficult, but, wo managed to understand that they with the head of George V. on it.. to down by three Bri- "Smith, having, heard the shooting.

now came floundering through. tish fighters ... Then it began to dawn on Smith and myself that they snow to see what was happening and shot Heinkel was in grave danger of being must be the crew of the

his until I shouted to him to hold which we had been attacking!

He was be con- hands up and not to move. "The pilot appeared to siderably upset because his rear gun- also searched, and I mangaed, to make he one of the Norwegians understand that ner had been killed, and when asked us what we were doing Smith there were two Germans at the hotel and I exchanged quick glances and said that we had been in an aircraft which had been forced to land owing

he ac to engine trouble. Luckily cepted this statement.

.

we

"Before the Germans arrived had observed another building about a mile away which looked to be quite large and well preserved. Giv- ing the excuse that I was going to search for more food I set off for this building while Smith remained at the

hut.

a

OUTPACED THE GERMANS "My objective turned out to be wooden hotel which had been bombed and obviously deserted in a hurry.

armed with pistols. They captured the two remaining Germans who of- fered no resistance, and we were taken to an hotel where there was a. Nor- wegian who could speak fair English and our nationality was more or less established.

"We were each lent skling boots and a pair of skis and escorted to the group of huts I had originally been making for, which turned out to be one of the rendezvous or headquart- ers of these ski patrols.

..

ESTABLISH NATIONALITY.

"There we found three nurses of the Norwegian Red Cross who had been retreating across country on skis from "I found my way back to the hut Oslo since the war began. All three carrying a large tin of biscuits and girls spoke English, one very well in- that deed, having a Scots mother and hav- made the German understand Smith and I were going to spend the Ing lived in Edinburgh most of her night at the new residence while they life. Our nationality was now definite- ly established and we were well look- could remain at the old one."

Next morning the pilot found aned after and most kindly treated,” ancient pair of skis and Smith dis- covered through his glasses another group of buildings, two or three miles

away.

"

The officer in charge of the patrol arranged for an escort to take the two English-airmen over the moun-. tains to Shyne during the night, as "Unfortunately," says the pilot, "at anybody moving by day, was liable to this moment, the Germans arrived on be machine-gunned from the air. the scene, and seemed prepared to Eventually, after an eventful jour- settle down at the hotel with us, 40ney during which they had to hide in we came to the conclusion that one.

of us must “ski- to the new collection of buildings we had gotted

"Smith had never bent on skis, - and

chus to avoid being machine-gunned › and banked, they reached Aandalsnes, where they went aboard a British

FIFTH COLUMN BILL STICKERS

SOUGHT

The display of posters · calling attention to a so-called "Now British Broadcasting. Station" is being investigated by Scotland Yard. It is belleved that Fifth Column agents are responsible,

The public can be of assistance to the police in stopping the bill- sticking. The posters are put up at night, and those responsible keep а watchful eye for the police.. Night workers particu- larly might keep such people under observation and inform the at the nearest police station earliest opportunity.

SECRET SERVICE

FOR WOMEN?

WOMEN MIGHT ACT AS “UN- OBSERVED OBSERVERS" IN QUIET AREAS, IN ADDITION TO THE'. FORCES, SUGGESTED MISS ELEA. NOR RATHBONE, M.P., IN LONDON. THEY WOULD NOT WEAR UNI FORM, AND WOULD APPEAR TO BE ORDINARY, QUIET WOMEN GO- IN CYCLES OR ON ING ABOUT FOOT.

She urged a call for immediate cash family allowances to counteract the effect of war conditions on the young.

The system should provide for pay- ment in cash direct to the mother, according to the number of her chil-

WELSH SPEAKERS TAKEN dren, she said.

FOR SPIES

A sailor was stated recently to have mistaken a Welsh-speaking parson for

a spy.

He told a policeman. When the the policeman spoke in Welsh to clergyman, the sailor struck the con- stable twice on the jaw.

Able Seaman Edward Darby, thirty- seven was charged at Chatham with Davies. assaulting Police-Constable The case was dismissed under Probation of Offenders Act on pay- ment of £2-8s. costs.

the

+

"For £50,000,000 a year, which is £10,000,000 a year less than the Gov- ernment is now spending on pegging down food prices,, we could pay al- lowances of 5s, a week to every child under fifteen in the country, irres- pective of class, beginning with the second child in each family,"

ANTI-SABOTAGE: PATROLS AT OXFORD UNIVERSITY Vulnerable points at Oxford Univer- sity are being patrolled to prevent possible sabotage.

"Aliens are a potential menace, and Chief Inspector Hawes said the con- stable satisfied himself that the clergy we feel they should be interned," said man was genuine, and being a Welsh- Mr. Douglas Veale, the Registrar. man and finding that the clergyman."They can be sorted out after intern- It is the general man was also a Welshman questioned ment if necessary. him in Welsh.

opinion of the university that the re- gulations governing coastal counties should be extended to this area.”·

Darby, în evidence, said that when the constable and the clergyman spoke in Welsh-a language he did understand his suspicions were increased.

not

OFF THE RECORD

Here's Lus

Of the thousand or so allens in Oxford, 477 are from enemy countries, about 200 being men.

By Ed Reed

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