RAID THAT FAILED

Evening Post, Volume CXXX, Issue 10, 11 July 1940, Page 12

RAID THAT FAILED

GERMAN AIR FORCE

ATTEMPT TO CLOSE DOVER STRAITS

CONVOY ATTACKED

MOST VIOLENT FIGHT YET

(By Telegraph—Press Association —Copyright.)

(Received July 11, 2 p.m.) LONDON, July 10.

Today's raids by German bombing squadrons with a strong escort of fighters were part of an attempt by Germany to close the Straits of Dover to British shipping by a continual aerial offensive. They were on a vaster scale than any daylight attack previously made, and were directed against a British convoy. The successful intervention of British fighters, however, scattered them and sent at least eleven planes down in flames and damaged several others, and chased the remainder home.

A German communique issued tonight admits that four of their planes have not returned from an attack on a strongly-guarded British convoy in the Straits of Dover and claims that ten British fighters of the escorting convoy were shot down. It is also claimed that a cruiser and four merchantmen, totalling 21,000 tons, were sunk, and that a cruiser and three merchantmen, totalling 19,000 tons, were left burning, listing heavily, and unable to proceed.

Despite the German claims, ships are still safely passing through the Straits of Dover under a shield afforded by the R.A.F. and the Royal Navy.

Thousands of civilians saw a series of the most violent air battles to date. Some reports say that 120' German planes participated. One eye-witness said that the first attack comprised 35 bombers escorted by 25 fighters, and the second at least 40 bombers escorted by 20 or more fighters. The first wave attacked the convoy in the face of intense anti-aircraft fire from the escort vessels, which instantly brought down two bombers. At least 200 bombs were dropped, but no hits appeared to be registered on the ships. Fighters then roared out to the attack.

The second attack came ten minutes later. The raiders headed down the Channel and dropped salvos of bombs as they flew over the convoy. Several bombs fell near the ships. The British fighters drove off the bombers, and then German fighters appeared. The planes became mixed up, at least 70 wheeling, circling, and diving in one battle. The encounters lasted for an hour, when the last raider fled across the Channel. It is stated officially that the total number of German planes destroyed in Wednesday's attacks on Britain is now 14. (British Official Wireless.) (Received July 11, 2.30 p.m.) RUGBY, July 10. The Ministry of Home Security announces in reference to Wednesday's raids on Britain: "Bombs were dropped at a number of points in South Wales. A chapel and other buildings, including a factory, were damaged. At a south-west coast port fires were caused, and minor damage was reported in other districts in the south of England. Some casualties, including some persons killed,.were caused."