ONE JUNKERS CRASHES

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 61, Issue 124, 7 March 1941, Page 5

ONE JUNKERS CRASHES

ANOTHER DAMAGED r AUSTRALIANS’ SUCCESS ACTION OVER THE ATLANTIC (United Press Association—Copyright > (Rec. 10.35 a.m.) LONDON, March 6. The Air Ministry News Service says that a Sunderland flyingboat which was manned by Australians sighted two Junkers 88’s on patrol on a parallel course about a mile and a-half to port. They were 500 feet above the sea. The Sunderland kept a close watch, but about an hour later the Junkers unexpectedly reappeared out of a cloud, diving together toward the Sunderland and blazing away with their guns. They closed in, firing continuously. The Sunderland held its fire until it came down to 100 feet above the water. Bursts which if then fired into the enemy were too much for the Junkers. When 200 yards away they turned aside and began to climb. Thirty seconds later one came plunging • downwards, with smoke pouring from it, and crashed into the sea. The second Junkers made another attempt to challenge the Sunderland's accurate firing. This bomber was so severely punished that there is little likelihood that it regained its base. —British Official Wireless.