THRILLING AIR BATTLES

Evening Star, Issue 23444, 8 December 1939, Page 7

THRILLING AIR BATTLES

ENCOUNTERS OVER NORTH SEA TWO DORNIERS BADLY DAMAGED (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, December 7. (Received December 8, at 11.30 a.m.) Enemy aircraft over the North Sea on Wednesday attempted to intercept isolated patrols of the Coastal Command of the R.A.F. In two encounters it is reported that the enemy machines, giant Doruier flying boats, were beaten off and badly damaged One Coastal Command aircraft was far out from its base north of Heligoland Bight when it sighted a Dornier prowling for prey, air or seaborne. To secure a position for himself for an effective attack, the British pilot cleverly stall-turned—that is, suddenly put his aircraft into an almost vertical climb, and as it lost speed, turned and dived down on the beam of the enemy, his machine fluns plastering the Dornier with lead at each dive. After the third attack the British pilot climbed to 2,000 ft and carried out another attack on the enemy’s tail. One long burst was seen to enter around the engines and the main plane and the crippled German aircraft sought refuge in the mist and low cloud to limp towards their base. The second encounter took place 200 miles from land, when a Coastal Command aircraft sighted a Dornier and for half an hour pursued it in and out of the clouds, making six attacks and pouring round after round of ammunition into its adversary. With its rear gun out of action and oil fuel pouring out from both sides, the .Dornier made off swaying into the clouds. Tho pilot considers it very doubtful whether the enemy would reach its base. ONE PLANE MISSING LONDON, December 7. (Received December 8, at 1 p.m.) An Air Ministry communique states that tho Royal Air Force engaged tho enemy several times over the North Sea yesterday. One of our patrolling planes has not returned. It is believed that this may be the plane mentioned m the German communique as colliding with a German plane and both falling into the sea. NAZI AIR RAID OVER FIRTH OF FORTH INVADERS DRIVEN OFF LONDON, December 7. (Received December 8, at 10 a.m.) It is officially announced that, eight Nazi planes were involved in a raid over the Firth of Forth. The raid was driven off and one enemy machine appeared to be hit. No bombs were dropped. The fighters, after driving off the eight Nazi planes, encountered -two others off the north-east coast. The esemy turned back and were pursued to sea. One was seen to have been hit. Heavy gunfire was heard along the coast. R.A.F. PLANES OVER GERMANY LONDON, December 7. (Received December 8, at 8 a.m.). The German radio announced that strong Royal Air Force units flew over the Friesian Islands and SchleswigHolstein to-night. Anti-aircraft batteries went into action at many points and drove off the planes. No bombs were dropped. ENEMY PLANES COLLIDE LONDON, December 7. (Received December 8, at 11.45 a.m.) According to a Berlin message, the war communique mentions an air battle west of Texel, in which British and German machines collided and fell into the sea, also German reconnaissance flights over England, Scotland, and the Shetland Islands. “ During the evening British aeroplanes flew five times towards Schleswig-Holstein. Anti-air-craft fire compelled the enemy to turn northwards and attempt to escape across Denmark. No bombs were dropped.” AIR OPERATIONS BRITISH CASUALTY LIST Press Association —By Telegraph—Copyright LONDON, December 7. (Received December 8, at 11 a.m.) The Air Ministry casualty list No. 13 is as follows—: Killed in action, two. Previously reported missing, now killed in action, five. Previously reported missing, believed killed, now killed in action, one. Killed on active service, 25. Missing, two. f Missing, believed killed, one. Died on active service, 12.

Tho Air Ministry casualty list includes the following New Zealanders:— Pilot-officer D. C. R. Carter, of Eltham; Pilot-officer 11. K. A. Drummond, of Reofton, both killed on active service,. •