1000th GERMAN PLANE DOWN

Dominion, Volume 33, Issue 283, 24 August 1940, Page 11

1000th GERMAN PLANE DOWN

Official Total From June 18 NO DAY BOMBING (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, August 22. The total number of German aeroplanes destroyed around the British coasts since large-scale raids began on June 18 reached 1000 with the aeroplane which was brought down in the German attack on a British convoy.

Four more were shot down during raids over the British coast today, according to an Air Ministry communique, which states that (reports received up to 7 p.m. show that a small number of enemy aircraft, in. most cases operating singly, crossed the coast today. None penetrated more than a few miles, and no bombs were dropped on land. Two British fighters have been lost, but one pilot is safe. A Spitfire brought down one raider this afternoon. One of the crew was dead and three others were interned. The Air Ministry and the Ministry of Home Security report: “During the night a bomb fell on a hillside in the south-east of Scotland, slightly wounding one soldier. As far as is known at present this is the only casualty during the night.” It was later learned that German planes flew over Wales tonight. Three raiders are believed to have been shot down tonight in a fierce battle over the south-east of England. Anti-aircraft guns elsewhere brought down another machine.

FIFTEEN BOMBERS ATTACK TOWN

Four Believed Destroyed LONDON, August 23.

lii later raids last night. enemy planes dropped heavy bombs in southeast England and also in. some country districts.

A report stales that before dark 15 German bombers attacked a south-eastern town. They were flying at a great height. Anti-air-

craft batteries went into action

and British fighters went up to engage the enemy. Reports say that four out of the 15 are believed to have been destroyed.

The work of searchlights was particularly effective. In one case two enemy aircraft were caught in the beams of searchlights. They were unable, despite strenuous efforts, to dodge out of the beams and were compelled to make off. In another district searchlights forced one raider to make off and Residents later heard the explosion of bombs, apparently in a country district.

GERMANS’ FAILURE

Swiss Journalist Tours Southern England

(British Ofllcial Wireless.) (Receiyetl August 23, 7 p.m.) RUGBY, August 22.

I'our conclusions were reached by the correspondent of the Swiss newspaper • “Basler Nachrichten,” who has been making “an extensive lour of the defence zone in southern England, during which I saw the results of the recent. raids on military objectives.” Tim conclusions as a result of this tour, during which “I wax allowed to go where I wished and make what inquiries I chose without, any restrictions whatever,” wore:—

“Fi;rst, tlm organization of tlie ground defences is. impressive; secondly, the damage done Io military >r civil objoclives in the defence zone is minute; thirdly, the British official announcements are thus shown to be accurate; and, fourthly, the German attempt to undermine the morale of the British people has completely failed.”

CANADIAN INTEREST-FREE LOAN

OTTAWA. August

Tile Finance Minister, Mr. J. L. Jlsley, announced that, subscriptions to the interest-free war loan totalled dollars on August 15.