IN BOXING PARLANCE

Evening Post, Volume CXXX, Issue 81, 2 October 1940, Page 10

IN BOXING PARLANCE

ENEMY RAIDS ON

SUNDAY

ALL BLOWS PARRIED

(British Official Wireless.)

RUGBY, September 30,

An Air' Ministry bulletin comments that the enemy's attack today followed,' in boxing parlance, the tactics of a right-right-left, with the blows spaced out throughout the day. All were parried and none found its mark with real effect. The enemy opened with a right towards London and another jab in the same direction followed about an hour later. Both were largely feints, being' probably designed to wear out the British fighters. In neither case was the attempt to reach London a success. Soon after 11 a.m. the enemy aimed a left towards the West Country. Like the first two attacks, it was a tentative jab rather than a full blow. About 70 bombers and lighters crossed the coast between St. Albans Head and Portland, threading fanwise over Dorset and Somerset.

It was again a right followed by a left in the afternoon. Just as Lon* dpners were settling down to their midday dinner the German right fist again jabbed in their direction, this tune moire purposefully than before Though the main body of 120 enemy aircraft reached no further than the line of the North Downs, a few got through to the London area, but they were quickly driven off.

Another 200 to 300 aircraft followed, and finally, about half an hour later, a left shot out towards Portland and Bristol.

The best fighting of the day was in the midday attack on the south-east of England. A Spitfire squadron met 20 Dornier 215 bombers surrounded by 50 to 60 MesserschmL. 109's behind, above, and on either of their flanks.

The British leader went right through the fighters. In the meantime one pilot dived on a Messerschmitt 109 and sent, it down smoking in a vertical dive, and it hit the ground in full view of the pilot who shot it down. Another; formation of Spitfires went mainly for the fighters, and shot down six for certain. Four Messerschmitts crashed on land, one was sent down in flames, and the sixth blew up in midair. Several others were badly damaged.

One of the R.A.F. Polish squadrons chased 30 Dornier 215 planes from Beachy Head to the French coast. The Dorniers were in close herringbone formation and were escorted by large numbers of Messerschmitt 109's. The Poles shot down one Messerschmitt near Beachy Head, two more as they were approaching the French coast, and finally one of the Dorniers on land over France.

At; the beginning.of the afternoon drive towards the West Country a patrol of Spitfires chased away a number of Junker 88's before they had so much, as crossed the coast. When first sighted, the Juiikers were flying north at a high speed. The Spitfires dived on them from the rear, and by tha time the enemy had wheeled away to fly back to France four of their number had been shot down in the sea.