BLOCKADE ATTEMPTS BEATEN OFF

Auckland Star, Volume LXXI, Issue 176, 26 July 1940, Page 8

BLOCKADE ATTEMPTS BEATEN OFF

BY GERMAN RAIDERS

Fierce Attacks On Shipping

R.A.F. Fighters Gain Victory In Big Battles Over Channel

MORE ENEMY LOSSES

(United Press Association.—Copyright.—Kec. 1.30 p.m.)

LONDON. July 25

About eighty German planes participated in an unsuccessful attack on a convoy off the south-east coast. Fierce anti-aircraft fire occurred and then fighters drove off the raiders. At least one was shot down. ■Nine 'plane* were shot down during the day. The Air Ministry states that a great battle in which 100 'planes participated followed an unsuccessful German attack on a convoy off the south-east coast of England. The battle provided the longest period of air fighting yet experienced. The German bombers came in three groups, the first of which attacked ships and the other two bombed the land> Then they returned to France. Another formation of 15 German 'planes, apparently fighters, W .* rom t | ie Channel at a great height. R.A.F. machines roared into action. A fierce battle resulted in the headlong flight of the raiders. At times during the day the sky seemed filled with 'planes for hours. Anti-aircraft batteries • and coastal guns were in action almost incessantly. Many bombs, several falling inland, were dropped from the raiders, which were driven away from shipping objectives. Fighters Flash Across the Sky. Sco*e« of bombs were dropped on one convoy consisting of 20 small freighters. Scores of British fighters flashed across the sky and were instantly engaged by German fighters, while dive bombers circled low to attack the convoy. They, hurtled down close to each other s tails, their engines screaming. There were three squadrons, comprising 27 bombers, in the first wave, and another formation of similar strength power dived immediately afterwards. Shells burst all around them.

a• • J* 1 ® [aiders climbed back steeply and repeated the attack. British fighters closed in as the Germans sought the cover of clouds. Two German bombers pitched in flames into the sea.

battles between British and German fighters raged and the British pilots finally gained the upper hand and routed the enemy.

Th® convoy sailed on, but an hour later was attacked for a third time. This attack was swiftly broken up by anti-aircraft batteries and fighters.

A Norwegian motor torpedo boat also shot down a German dive bomber, and another German bomber crashed in a field near a south-west village after a with a fighter. The crew escaped by parachute and were captured.

A British official wireless message says an Air Ministry communique states that in the course of a series of toattempted attacks to-day on shipping off the south-east and south-west coasts, four enemy aircraft have been shot down by R.A.F. fighters, and anti-air-craft guns. A fifth enemy aircraft was shot down by fighters off the north-

cast coast of Scotland this morning. A later Air Ministry communique states an additional four enemy aircraft, makiqg nine in' all, were shot down in engagements off the British coast today.

During to-day's air battles a Blenheim bomber eighted a patch of oil on the surface of the sea. Two lifeboats, each containing about 50 men, were nearby.

British merchant chips ia convoy.