AIR RATTLES AT SEA.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 60, Issue 79, 13 January 1940, Page 5

AIR RATTLES AT SEA.

GERMANS LOSE TWO ’PLANES. BRITISH GUNNER’S ACCOUNT. LONDON, January 11. Further details are now available of the' clash over the North Sea yesterday between Britain, aircraft and German Messerselimitt 110 machines, in which one British aircraft was lost, one enemy fighter was brought down and another German aircraft made a forced landing in Denmark, its crew being interned. The Messersclimitts concentrated on the outside aircraft of the British formation. “I thought at first there were only two,” said one of the British air gunners. “They attacked in turn, obviously following a prearranged plan. “Then we saw others waiting up above to take their turn and soon things got busy. 'We came down from 5000 feet almost to sea level as soon as we were attacked, so that they couldn’t get beneath us. We kept formation. “The fighters attacked in shallow dives, usually from the quarter or the beam, opening fire with cannon and machine-guns from a distance of about 600 yards, seldom closing nearer than 200 yards. They seemed anxious to get out of range of our guns, and usually turned away when we opened fire. “As they broke away, climbing for another attack, they showed us their bellies and our tracers seemed to be going straight into them. Certainly some of them must have gone home heavier than they set out, because some of our chaps fired more than 500 rounds during the action, and they didnt all miss.”

The engagement was continuous for 25 minutes. Each fighter made from eight to 10' attacks. The only British casualty occurred early in the action, when one British aircraft —apparently hit in one engine —was forced to drop back and was immediately pounced on by a fighter which closed to within 100 yards!, while a, second lighter waited above to reinforce the attack.

A few minutes later a German fighter was forced down.' In seeking to break up the British formation it dived between two sections of the Loyal Air Force aircraft and, turning to launch a beam attack, it was caught by British fire and crashed into the sea at high speed. Soon afterwards another German fighter was seen to be in difficulties. This is believed to he the one which later in the day was reported to have- made a forced * landing in Denmark. —British Official Wireless.