NO BOMBS DROPPED.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 61, Issue 251, 5 August 1941, Page 5

NO BOMBS DROPPED.

BRITAIN HAS QUIET DAY. ONE ENEMY FLIES INLAND. (Ree. 10 a.m.) LONDON, Aug. 4. An Air Ministry and Home Security communique states that a small miniber of enemy aircraft were flown noai the coast to-day, and one flew inland. Up to S jp.m. there had been no report of any bombs having been dropped. There Avas slight enemy air activity last- night over the east coast of England and Scotland. Bombs Avere dropped at scattered points and at one place in north-east England, Avhere some houses Avere demolished, there Avere some casualties including a small number -of persons killed. One of the Junkers 88’s destroyed over the east coast on Saturday Avas shot doAvn by a Spitfire pilot- avlio was on a practice flight. In his oavii Avords, it Avas his “first crack at a Hun,” and although his aircraft Avas hit, he brought it safely back and made a perfect landing Avith his engine dead. “It Avas a grand piece of Avork,” said a member of his squadron, “for lie- pressed home the attack Avhcn he could hardly see for glycol on his AA'indscreen. The squadron feels that it has got off on the right foot, and the hoys are keen to have a real shot. It Avon’t be long now.’’

The pilot, who went out with another member of the squadron, said: “Wo saw s a German bomber climb into a patch of cloud. We came over the cloud and I went through and made an attac kat close range. The German pilot fish-tailed to give the rear-gunner a chance, and the top and lower guns fired at me, but without result. In my next attack only one gunner replied. By this time the German bomber was turning steeply away with smoko pouring from it. I made another attack, the result of which I did not see because glycol started to pour over the windscreen. My machine was also hit in the wings, hut I managed to return to my base and land, although the engine cut out.” The Junkers made a good landing on the water but sank at once, Three of the four men were seen swimming in the sea with a dinghy that did not inflate.