FIVE RAIDERS DESTROYED

Press, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23300, 9 April 1941, Page 7

FIVE RAIDERS DESTROYED

NIGHT FIGHTEKS’ SUCCESS

ATTACKS OVER WIDE

AREA

(Received April 8, 11 p.m.) (U.P.A.) LONDON. April 8. At least five German raiders were brought down by mght fighters over Britain last night when enemy attacks were on a considerable scale and lasted for several hours. Two of the raiders were destroyed by Beau fighters, two by Hurricanes, and one by a Defiant. Although the raids were on a considerable scale, there was no heavy attack on any one district. Some people were killed in one town in south-west Scotland and in another town in south-east Scotland, and damage and casualties were caused in other widely separated places. A small force of aeroplanes also raided Northern Ireland and damaged industrial and other property, and caused some casualties. ' ‘ The raiders were aided by a brilliant moon. Merseyside apparently bore the brant of the attack. Many incendiaries fell in an east coast town, damaging or destroying buildings, including a sailors’ home and two stores. A few bombs fell in the London district, damaging a hospital for aged and infirm persons. The Berlin radio stated that several hundred aeroplanes last night attacked harbours and towns all over England, causing great damage. A lew single enemy aircraft flew near the coasts of Britain in daylight yesterday, states an Air Ministry communique, but no bombs were dropped on land. Two enemy aeroplanes were destroyed by British fighters without loss, a' bomber being shot down in the sea off the Suffolk coast and a fighter destroyed near Cape Griz Nez. In the week ended April 5, 15 enemy machines were destroyed over Britain and the coast for the loss of two Royal Air Force aircraft. Over Germany, 13 Royal Air Force and two enemy aircraft were lost. In the Middle East. 48 enemy aeroplanes were destroyed and four Royal Air Force machines. During the period, two enemy aircraft were shot down by British ships, making a grand total of 67 enemy losses to 19 British.

It is now known that three additional enemy machines were destroyed by His Majesty’s ships during March.

QUISLINGS IN AMERICA

COMPLAINT IN U.S. SENATE

ATTEMPTS TO SABOTAGE DEFENCE PROGRAMME

(Received April 8, 9.30 p.m.) WASHINGTON, April 7

Senator J. B. Lee asserted in the United States Senate to-day that American Quislings were going about the country telling people in so many words to sabotage the defence programme.

“Although our defence programme and aid for nations fighting aggression have been stamped with the approval of the American people,” he said, “certain people are still stumping the country in an effort to destroy unity in America. Hitler helpers and Hitler lovers are not satisfieif we have passed on this question.” Senator Lee complained that those persons—he did not name them, but obviously referred to Senator B. K. Wheeler's isolationist clique—were using the radio to play on every discordant note in America.

AIRCRAFT WORKERS

THANKED

(8.0. W.) RUGBY, April 7. Admiral Sir Andrew Cunningham has sent a special message through Lord' Beaverbrook, the Minister tor Aircraft Production, to the aircraft workers who made the Albacores, Fulmars, Swordfish, and Blenheims used by the Fleet Air Arm and the Royal Air Force in the battle of Cape, Matapan. "The men and women who made these aircraft for the Royal Navy and the Royal Air Force have the satisfaction of knowing that they provided a most valuable contribution to the recent naval victory in, the Mediterranean,” said Admiral Cunningham. “The splendid aircraft you make, by finding, attacking and crippling the enemv vessels, played a vital part in bringing the Italian fleet to battle and defeat. I send my thanks to you all for the devotion and skilled workmanship which so materially helped the Navy to do a good job.”