FIGHTER OFFENSIVE

Evening Post, Volume CXXXII, Issue 70, 19 September 1941, Page 5

FIGHTER OFFENSIVE

VETERANS IN ACTION

MANY NAZI PLANES HIT

(Rec. 11 a.m.) RUGBY, Sept. 18. Many pilots of new auxiliary squadrons which were formed in Glasgow, in the West Riding, and in London, men who bore the brunt of the Battle of Britain, took part in yesterday's Fighter Command offensive, in which more than 300 aircraft were employed, says the' Air Ministry news.service. Heavy anti-aircraft* fire and strong enemy fighter opposition were encountered, but fighter squadrons engaged on escort duties took the bombers to their target -and brought them back without interruption by German fighters. | One pilot; was returning over the French coast when he saw a Messerschmitt 109f about to attack one -of his comrades. He turned, attacked it, and shot it'down in the Channel after a short burst from his cannon..

MISTAKEN IDENTITY.

He then" went back to join 12 aircraft which were flying in formation and which he thought were .Spitfires. Then, when he was within a mere 100 yards, he recognised them as Messerschmitts. Although he was alone among the enemy, he did not hesitate, but attacked the 12 German fighters and sent one of them spinning down with black smoke pouring from it. .

This is only one of many claims that enemy machines were probably destroyed, because the pilots could not see their ultimate fate. The total number of "probables" reaches jdouble figures. . • • ■ This pilot then "went straight through the squadron /of Messerschmitts". and attacked one of the leaders. The enemy squadron was split up and thrown into confusion.

NEMESIS FOR NAZIS

Other pilots reported many dogfights. They saw Messerschmitts diving out of control into the thick haze' which covered parts of the Channel- and northern France.

One squadron which returned without loss saw a Spitfire pilot bale out in the sea. Immediately the squadron had touched down the planes refuelled and went pft to the spot where they had seen the pilot "bale out. They found four Messerschmitt 109's diving on one of the R.A.F. rescue boats. Two Nazis were shot down into the se^'in flames in a few seconds.—B.O.W.