DAMAGE TO BRITISH CRAFT

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 60, Issue 250, 30 July 1940, Page 5

DAMAGE TO BRITISH CRAFT

(United Press Association.—Copyright.) (Received This Day, 10.35 a.m.) LONDON, July 29. The Air Ministry communique states: “Enemy bombers, escorted by fighters, attacked a harbour on the south-east coast this morning. Strong formations of Royal Air Force fighters intercepted the enemy. Reports so far received show that our fighters shot down eight enemy bombers and seven fighters. Although several of our aircraft were damaged in this fierce engagement only one was lost. “An enemy bomber was shot down over the south of England during a raid last night.” ' It is officially revealed that the harbour attacked in the great air battle to-day was Dover. An eye-witness, describing the air battle over Dover, said: “Each German 'plane dropped a salvo of one big and four smaller bombs. The terrific concussions of the bombs shook houses along the sea front, shattering windows everywhere. Waterspouts 100 feet high showered spray over ships that bobbed like corks. The antiaircraft gunfire was so intense that the last wave of bombers were forced to break off their dives and fly back out of range.” Another source estimated that 100 'planes, including between 50 and 60 dive-bombers, took part in the attack. In addition to successes by one squadron of Spitfires and one squadron of Hurricanes, five Royal Air Force pilots reported that German 'planes fell into the sea in flames after the attack.