COSTLY GERMAN SORTIE

Auckland Star, Volume LXXI, Issue 179, 30 July 1940, Page 7

COSTLY GERMAN SORTIE

Lightning Blow At Dover Fails

NAZIS DRIVEN OFF

Fifteen Planes Destroyed In Lively Half Hour Battle

TERRIFIC GUNFIRE

(United Press Association.—Copyright.— Rec. 11.30 a.m.)

LONDON, July 29

n a £ n c^ ir Ministr y communique says: "Strong formations of K.A.K hghters intercepted enemy bombers, escorted by fighters which attacked Dover harbour and the south-east coast this morning. Reports so far received show that our fighter pilots shot down eight bombers and seven fighters. Several of our 'planes were damaged in a fierce engagement, but only one was lost. An enemy bomber was shot down over the south of England." The Air Ministry news service reports that 30 dive-bombers protected by 50 Mesaerschmitts attempted a surprise attack on the harbour Strong formations of Spitfires and Hurricanes swept up into the sky, which within a few minutes was filled with battling planes. The British pilots so harassed the Germans that their bombing aim was spoiled. Fifteen were destroyed in half an hour. Spitfires from one squadron destroyed four Messerschmitts and one bomber, while a Hurricane squadron shot down four bombers and one fighter. Five R.A.F. pilots reported that German 'planes fell into the sea in names after attacks.

Graphic Story Of Fight

The Air Ministry reports that it is now established that 20 enemy aircraft were brought down to-day. An eye-witness, describing the battle, said that each German 'plane dropped a salvo of one big and four smaller bombs. Terrific concussions shook houses along £he seafront and shattered windows everywhere. Waterspouts 100 feet high showered spray over ships, which bobbed like corks. Anti-aircraft gunfire wae so intense that the last wave of bombers was forced to break off their dives and fly back out of range.

Another source estimated that 100 'planes, including between o0 and 60 dive-bombers, participated in the attack. The battle alternated over the land and the sea at a great height. One raider dropped a number of incendiary bombs on a Midland town tonight. One fell into a bedroom in which three children were sleeping. The fire was quickly extinguished. Bombs on a town damaged a school and killed a woman. Several other houses were destroyed. Bombs fell in three places in northwest England.

R.A.F. Gives No Quarter

There was a yellow glow over Cherbourg oil tanks when the pilot of a Coastal Command Blenheim saw them through a haze of smoke early this morning. Other members of his squadron had been there before him with loads of heavy and incendiary bombs. He dropi*d his load, and there were big explosions on the ground. The Blenheims had scored many direct hits on tanks. One pilot bombed the hangars of an aerodrome and saw a great yellow flash. The pilot of another Blenheim was worried by a ring of searchlights, so he bombed them, and the lights went out. A German-occupied aerodrome on the Ihitch coast was also attacked last night, this time by Hudsons of the Coastal Command. Many fires were started on the airfield.

An Air Ministry communique states that bombers last night continued attacks on military objectives in northern and western Germany. The targets included oil depots, docks and goods yards. Seventeen aerodromes in Germany. Holland. Belgium and northern France were also attacked. Three of our aircraft are missing. Meniljers of the Coastal Command aircraft again raided Cherbourg oil tanks last night, and many fires were started. Our aircraft returned safely. An aircraft of the Bomber Command yesterday made a daylight attack on Leeuwaiden aerodrome, in Holland, and a number of enemy aircraft on the ground were damaged. On the return journey this bomber was engaged by four enemy fighters, one of which was driven down. ' Our aircraft returned safely.