NAZI AIRMEN FAIL

Dominion, Volume 33, Issue 84, 3 January 1940, Page 7

NAZI AIRMEN FAIL

Defeats Over North Sea

ATTACK MADE ON

WARSHIP

By Telegraph.—Press Assu.—Copyright. I LONDON. January I. [ The Air Ministry today annottne- j ed that two German planes flew I over the Shetland Islands and dropped bombs. One German plane, power-diving on to a warship, dropped two bombs, but both missed. Anti-aircraft guns went into action. The communique says it is believed that one raider was brought down. The Ministry also announces that coastal command pilots of the R.A.F. scored a swift and decisive victory today in one of the first aerial combats of the New Year. During'the afternoon, 130 miles out to sea, off the east coast of Scotland, three British aircraft encountered two twin-engined Heinkel aircraft. They engaged the enemy at once, and a running tight lasting half an hour ensued. The enemy aircraft were . flying abreast at 1000 feet when they were sighted. One British aircraft singled out the right-hand Heinkel, which, before its pilot could manoeuvre out of the angle of fire, was hit in the fuselage and wings many times. Shortly afterward the port engine and both wings were a mass of flames', and the enemy aircraft was seen to dive into the sea out of control. As it neared the water one of its crew jumped, using a parachute. Apparently the parachute was unsuccessful. He dropped to the sea and disappeared. The other Heinkel, which was attacked by the other two British aircraft, did not escape scot free. As its companion crashed, it turned away and, having been exposed to the concentrated lire of the attacked, succeeded in making its escape into the clouds. Nothing more was seen of the enemy, and the British pilots resumed their patrol. A destroyer searched the area east of the Shetlands where the damaged bomber was seen, but saw no sign of it. Three sheep are reported to have been killed. A German communique says that enemy planes tried to reach the German North Sea coast, but were forced to return.