SUPPLY SHIP SUNK

Auckland Star, Volume LXXII, Issue 145, 21 June 1941, Page 7

SUPPLY SHIP SUNK

ATTACK IN CHANNEL Daring Pilot's Remarkable Experience Rec. 1.30 p.m. RUGBY, June 20. The pilot of a Coastal Command Blenheim, who scored direct hits on an enemy supply ship in the English Channel last evening, attacked at such close range that, as he turned away, his aircraft touched the sea. The impact wrenched off one of his propellers, and threw a cloud of water all over the aircraft. Nevertheless, the pilot managed to pull the Blenheim up from the water and, on one engine, flew it safelv back. The Blenheim was one of a force which, escorted by fighters, attacked a German supply ship of about 4000 tons off Le Touquet. The vessel was protected by three anti-aircraft ships and a destroyer, which put up strong and accurate fire, but. in spite of this, the Blenheims came right in over the ship to release their bombs. They then had to take violent avoiding action, and saw only one direct hit. The fighters above, however, observed two hits, which left smoke rising amidships. The vessel sank later. A German bomber was shot down into the sea early this morning by His Majesty's trawler Capstone. The enemy was sighted at close range, and promptly was destroyed. Its type could not be identified. The Capstone suffered neither caewalty nor damage. The No. 1 Royal Canadian Air Force Fighter Squadron to-day celebrates the first anniversary of its arrival in Britain. During the year it has accounted for over "0 enemy machine.'