NAZI 'PLANES SWARM OK R.A.F. BOMBERS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXX, Issue 304, 26 December 1939, Page 7

NAZI 'PLANES SWARM OK R.A.F. BOMBERS.

GREAT AIR BATTLE.

How British Raid Reached

Objective.

AIRMEN'S GRAPHIC STORY

British Official Wireless.

RUGBY. December 25. Details of the air battle over Wil--lielmshaven on December 18 are still being sorted out from the mass of miormatwn obtained as the result of the study of the reports of individual members of each crew, and a clear picture of the action is beginning to take form. New Zealand airmen took part in the battle

It seems probable that the German the WaS , Ver - v dis **tisfied "ith he lexults ot the operations off Heligoland on December 3, in which a taekH °i f - Welli,l^ton bombers attacked warships and hit two cruisers. at u occasion large numbers of Messerschmitt fighters were dispatched to intercept the British formations. the fT , attacks were ineffective and thej failed to make any impression on the dose and strong formations of VV ellington bombers. easß with w hkh this effective attack was carried out without any loss to the bombing formation probably thoroughly alarmed the German Command. Accordingly, in the hope of preventing a repetition of such attacks, they ordered up as reinforcementsi h number of crack squadrons, probably from the Western Front. .These units had been latterly equipped with Messerschmitt 110s, verv fast twin-engined fighters of the lates't type. In the opinion of experts, the laurels 1 the battle undoubtedly go to the Wellington bombers, which Resisted a most desperate, and. it is conceded, a most courageous and dashing effort to break them up and destroy them. i , F , ly i ng wing-tip to wing-tip, thev held together in spite of anti-aircraft hre and continuous attacks from the enemy's most modern fighter aircraft. Again and again enemy fighters darin~ to close were shot down, and the bombers continued on their course unchecked and unshaken.

Some fared less well than others, and some were lost fighting to the end with gallantry to which the Germans themselves bear witness. Others fought off their formidable opponents single-handed and ultimately succeeded in crossing 300 miles of sea. even though their aircraft were maimed and the fighting turrets were out of action. The leader of a formation summed up the great battle as follows:—"This was in fact the biggest aerial battle ever fought. At hazard, I should think there were about 80 to 100 aircraft engaged. We were greatly outnumbered and out-manoeuvred beeafise of the higher speed of the fighters.

"The crews fired shot for shot and gave better than they got. Most of our crews wore under fife for the first time, and they have returned confident that on the next occasion the- enemv will suffer a far heavier blow. All the crews were surprised at the performance of the German aircraft, and their determination to press home the attack. We felt tlioy were worthy opponents."