LONDON SLEEPS AGAIN

Dominion, Volume 34, Issue 111, 4 February 1941, Page 7

LONDON SLEEPS AGAIN

Absence Of Luftwaffe R.A.F. DAY RAIDS ON CONTINENT Fighters Challenge Enemy LONDON, February 3. There was no enemy activity over this country last night. London had its thirteenth quiet night out of 14. This morning raiders were reported over East Anglia. During daylight yesterday there was slight activity by single enemy aircraft over the eastern portion of England. In East Anglia bombs were dropped at a few places but did little damage, and caused no casualties. In the afternoon some houses and shops were damaged and a small number of people injured by bombs dropped at two places on the Kent coast. (British Official Wireless and Press Assn.) LONDON, February 2. Londoners were mystified by the quiet .Saturday night experienced, for which there is no obvious reason. Since the intensified raids started in September London has not had in any mouth so many nights free from warnings as in January. On 11 nights, pine of which were in succession, the British capital was undisturbed by sirens after darkness. Of the 4uB warnings sounded since the war began, January contributed 41, averaging nearly two hours each. Altogether warnings have lasted 1268 hours since the outbreak of the war. British Operations. Last night’s Royal Air Force activities are reported in an Air Ministry communique which states that on Saturday night a small force of Coastal Command aircraft attacked the docks at Brest. During yesterday, despite unfavourable weather conditions, patrols and reconnaissance flights were carried out. Two of our aircraft are missing as a result of these operations. An Air Ministry communique issued tonight states that shortly before dawn this morning a small force of R.A.I. bombers attacked the docks at Boulogne and Ostend. During daylight today formations ot our fighters carrier! out offensive sweeps over the Straits of Dover and enemy-occupied territory. Of a small number of enemy aircraft which were encountered, three, all fighters, were destroyed. In one of these sweeps our fighters were accompanied by a small force of bombers, which attacked the docks at Boulogne. Other attacks were made by single aircraft of the Coastal Command on enemy aerodromes at Ostend and Berck. An enemy fighter which attacked one of these aircraft was shot down. One of our aircraft, a fighter, is missing from these operations. Fighters in Action. Well over 100 Spitfires and Hurricanes took part in extensive patrols over northern France. Squadrons, ot Hurricanes and squadrons of Spitfires, keeping guard above, escorted a small bomber force which attacked the Boulogne docks and bombed barges moored alongside the quays. Heavy anti-air-craft lire was experienced by the attacking force. One of a formation of Messerscbmut 109’s burst into flames after an attack by the leader of one of the Spitfire squadrons, and crashed just outside Boulogne harbour. A sergeant pilot of the same squadron attacked another Messerschmitt, one of six which were flying in formation. The enemy machine dived and the sergeant pilot went after him, eventually closing in to within 50yds. still firing his guns. When only a few feet from the waves be broke off the combat, but learnt from another pilot ou his return to base that the. Messerschmitt lie had been attacking had actually crashed into the sea in flames. A 28-year-old American-born flight lieutenant of another famous auxiliary squadron got. a third Messerschmitt 109. Other pilots on patrol during the day all agreed that very few German aircraft had been seen, either over the Channel or over the northern const of France. One Spitfire pilot had an exciting and anxious experience when his engine failed over northern France. He was able to glide back to an aerodrome in Southern England and lauded with only a few yards to spare.