NAZI WARSHIP

Auckland Star, Volume LXXII, Issue 137, 12 June 1941, Page 7

NAZI WARSHIP

REFUGE IN BREST

Prinz Eugen Target For R.A.F. Bomber Patrols

British Official Wireless. Rec. noon. RUGBY, June 11. An Air Ministry communique P& k : In flight yesterdav Bomber Command aircraft continued the search for and attack on shinping off the enemy coast. One heavy bomber, while searching off the Dutch coast was persistently attacked by two enemy fighters. In a running fight, lasting nearly 20 minutes, one fighter was shot down into the sea und the other driven off. "A strong force of Bomber Command aircraft attacked the docks at Brest last night, where a cruiser of the Hipper class, believed to be the Prinz Eugen, which was chased along with the Bismarck, was taking refuge along with the battle-cruisers Scharnhorst and Gneisenau. A large weight of bombs was dropped on the docks and anchorage. "Coastal Command aircraft last night bombed the docks at St. Nazaire, on the Bay of Biscay, and enemy aerodromes at Mandal and Stavcnger, in Norway. "A torpedo-carrying aircraft of the same command attacked an enemy supply ship, of about 2000 tons, off the Norwegian coast. The vessel was hit amidships by a torpedo. From all the operations one aircraft of the Coastal Command is missing." Skill of Rcai'-Guiinei' Further details of the running fight between a heavy R.A.F. bomber and two Messerschmitts in which, as announced in an Air Ministry communique one Messerschmitt was destroyed, is contained in an Air Ministry bulletin. Off the Dutch Friesian Island of Vlieland the bomber's rear-gunner saw a Messerschmitt 109 climbing to intercept his plane. The Messerschmitt was soon joined by another. The bomber dived down "almost to sea levei and a running fight began, which lasted for several minutes with the bomber and two fighters about 100 feet above the waves. The fighters made three attacks, coming in simultaneously, one from port and the other from starboard. They opened fire at 300 yards with cannon and machine-guns and closed to about 150 yards before wheeling away. In the last of these attacks one of the fighters met its end, being brought down by the rear-gunner. Just Slid Into the Sea "As the fighter turned away to port after making its attack," said the captain of the bomber, "the reargunner told me to turn to starboard. That brought our tail round towards the fighter and the gunner got a long burst right into him and he just slid off his turn into the sea." The other Messerschmitt went on with the fight on its own and made seven or eight further attacks, but he did not come in too close. Each time the fighter came in the reargunner told the captain which way to turn to avoid attack and the bomber dodged the Messerschmitt every time. At last the enemy climbed and came in on the starboard bow. and the front gunner had a shot at him—a sharp burst sent him away for good.

ANOTHER QUIET NIGHT

British Official Wireless. Rec. 2 p.m. RUGBY, June 11. Dealing with night air raids over Britain an official communique states that enemy activity last night was on a small scale. Bombs were dropped in South Wales and at one point near the coast of south-west England. In South Wales some damage was done. A small number of casualties has been reported, including some people who lost their lives.