RECORD BAG TO ALLIES

Press, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23002, 23 April 1940, Page 9

RECORD BAG TO ALLIES

AIR FIGHTING ON WESTERN FRONT ; NAZIS LOSE AT LEAST TWELVE MACHINES (Received April 22, 8 p.m.) RUGBY, April 21. In a week-end of glorious achievements, the Allies collected a record bag of 12, possibly 14, Nazi aeroplanes on the Western Front, of which the French accounted for two and British fighters brought down the majority. Several times British Hurricanes slipped over German territory, tackling the enemy almost within sight of their own aerodromes. Royal Air Force Headquarters in France announced that Hurricane fighters shot down four —possibly five—German aeroplanes in the first large-scale encounter on the Western Front since the invasion of Denmark and Norway. “One of our aircraft was forced to land by enemy action,” the announcement stated. “The pilot escaped unhurt. All the rest of our aircraft .returned safely." An Air Ministry communique . states that a fighter patrol of eight machines encountered 12 Messerschmitt 109’s. The British attacked and shot down two German aeroplanes which were seen to crash in German territory. A third machine was shot down out of control. In the afternoon British fighter's encountered a strong formation of enemy fighters. A Messerschmitt 110 and a Messerschmitt 109 were shot aown,; both landing in French territory. Another 109 was believed to ■“ a ve been destroyed. _ The French official evening com™nmque states that there have been artillery actions near the Blies.