SUCCESSFUL ATTACKS

Evening Star, Issue 24002, 29 September 1941, Page 8

SUCCESSFUL ATTACKS

THE WEEK'S AIR FIGHTING GREATER ENEMY OPPOSITION ENCOUNTERED (British Official Wireless.) (Rec. 12.45 p.m.) RUGBY, Sept. 28. _ Although comparative figures of air losses do not always give a fair picture of achievement, it is noteworthy that the week’s German air losses over Britain and occupied territory greatly exceeded those of the R.A.F. R.A.F. operations during the past week over, Germany and occupied territory have been much reduced owing to unfavourable weather conditions. However, strong forces of bombers and fighters made successful attacks during the day and night of September 21 ou a power station at Gosnay and railway objectives at Lille. In all, 24 German fighters were destroyed in these operations for the Joss of 13 R.A.F. fighters, but two of the pilots were saved and no bombers were lost. The news was given this week of the new Hurricanes equipped with a powerful armament of 12 guns or four cannons. They have further suecsses against enemy shipping. In daylight on September 26 they attacked four minesweepers and two A.A. ships, probably destroying two minesweepers and damaging the A.A. ships. An R.A.F. fighter also sank a patrol vessel off the French coast. The Coastal Command also make successful attacks on enemy ships off the coast of Norway. A 5,000-ton supply ship was hit and a 6,000-ton supply ship is also believed to have been hit. The docks at Calais, Dunkirk, and Boulogne were raided by Bomber Command aircraft, and also objectives at Cologne and in western Germany. On the afternoon of September 27 there was a big air sweep over France. The railway centre at Amiens and the railway junction near La Basse were bombed with good results. Twenty-one enemy fighters were destroyed to 14 R.A.F. , , , , . . The attack was the week’s heaviest, and-Germany sent up more fighters than have been seen for a long time. A total of 28 British aircraft are missing, but five of • the pilots are safe, while 45 German fighters were destroyed. Regarding daylight air operations over Britain an official communique states there is nothing to report.