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Evening Star, Issue 23657, 17 August 1940, Page 11

(British Official Wireless.)

(RUGBY. August 16. '(Received August 17. at 11.40 a.m.) The Bang sent the following message io Sir Archibald Sinclair: —“Please convey my warmest, congratualtions to the fighter squadrons who in recent days have been so heavily engaged in the defence of our country. I, like all their compatriots, have read with •ver-increasing admiration the story of their daily victories. I wish them continued suocees and the best of luck.”

“ MIGHTY FLEET OF BOMBERS " BERLIN’S ANNOUNCEMENT BERLIN, August 16. (Received August, 17, at 9.5 a.m.) It is authoritatively stated that bad weather .. over the .' Channel, restricted German air activity, though' the weather is expected to improve before nightfall. A later message stated that authoritative sources in Berlin announced that a mighty fleet of bombers was flying in the direction of London across the Channel at 6.30 p.m. (London time) heading for a military objective on the outskirts of London. It is not expected to bomb the centre of the city. Authoritative sources claim that a heavy air battle is proceeding over London between British and German fighters. Huge explosions were observed at Purfleet and Barking after bombings A communique states: The German air force continued its attacks on British harbours, armament works, aerodromes, and barrage balloons yesterday and last night. It heavily damaged harbour works at Portland, Scarborough, Bridlington, and Middlesbrough, aircraft and motor works at Birmingham, and hangars and barracks at several aerodromes in the south and southeast, also in the Midlands. Violent air fights developed. One of our squadron leaders gained his twentieth victory. Several British ports were mined. British planes made a night attack on Western Germany, but' caused no remarkable damage. The total enemy losses to August 15 amounted to 143 ■aeroplanes, of which 106 were shot down in air fighting. We shot down 21 barrage balloons. Thirty-two German planes failed to return. Nine German and one British pilot were picked up in the Channel. A U-boat sank two merchantmen totalling 14,000 tons. Ten Spitfires attacked several minesweepers, which shot down four of them. A News Agency reporter describes 30 minutes spent cruising over London without interference. He flew comparatively low. A few Hurricanes tried to attack, but they were repelled destructively. The News Agency characterises the statement that 1,000 planes were over Britain on August 15 as exaggerated and says that 200 to 300 bombers and fighters participated in the raids on southern and south-eastern England, also in the neighbourhood of Newcastle. “ Everywhere we had good successes and observed numerous fires.” ALL ACCOUNTED FOR LONDON, August 16. (Received August 17, at 1 p.m.) One squadron of Hurricanes caught 11 dive bombers attacking an aerodrome and shot down every one of them. WRONG PLAGE TO LAND GERMAN PARACHUTIST'S BAD JUDGMENT LONDON, August 16. (Received August 17, at 9.5 a.m.) A German parachutist (not a pilot) baled out over southern England and landed in an open pace which turned out to be the centre of the Canadian's camp.