AERIAL COMBATS

Greymouth Evening Star, 9 December 1939, Page 7

AERIAL COMBATS

NAZI RAIDERS DRIVEN OFF FIGHTS OVER SCOTTISH COAST [BRITISH OFFICIAL WIRELESS.] (Recd. Dec. 9, Noon). RUGBY, December 8. Further details of yesterday's air engagement over the East Coast of Scotland show that two German Heinkels first observed flying almost at sea level below a British fighter patrol. The fighters dived and gave the enemy several, bursts of fire, chasing them eastward. There was no reply to the British fire. .Soon afterwards, ’ seven Heinkels were seen and attacked, as they were flying south.down the coast in iclose formation. The British fighter patrol drove the Heinkels down to sea level, and one pilot carried out a running attack 15 feet, above the water.’ A second pilot hit one of the enemy aircraft, and. then attacked a second, which returned the fire. This raider also appeared to be; hit. * . A third British pilot tackled two Heinkels, registering hits on one of them as they skimmed to 100 feet over the sea.

A 'fourth fighter pilot had a narrow escape, he had' sen his .bullets hit a Heinkel, when, he himself was hit by cross-fire from another aircraft. One bullet -pierced his ear-phones and wounded him* in the ear. A second hit him in the "left thigh, and a third pierced the petrol tank., .v Although dizzy from loss* .of blood, he managed to return" safely. " The Heinkels, speeding south, encountered a patrol--of three British fighters five minutes later. Two of the British fighters I :*,hit two of the Heinkels. : The Heinkels, five holed by bullets, disappeared into the mist on their long and difficult journey home.

The British pilot who was wounded was born in Sydney; and learned his flying in Australia. He Ic’d the. first attack in an action fought some weeks ago over the North Sea as a result-tof which seven out of" twelve enemy planes, failed to rea'ch ’ home. His section, was officially accredited with the first of these to be brought down. . ' FAILURE TO REACH LONDON [BRITISH OFFICIAL WIRELESS.] (Recd. December . 9, 10 a.m.) RUGBY, December 8. The Air Ministry announces: - “Enemy aircraft were reported off the east coast during the night, • and our fighter aircraft were sent up to intercept them. One enemy aircaft approached the Thames Estuary, and was driven off by anti-aircraft fire. “There is no truth in the German statements that one of their reconnaissance aircraft reached London yesterday.” The Air Ministry stated that several Nazi planes were involved overnight in an east coast raid. British fighters intercepted them. One Nazi machine approached the Thames Estuary, but was driven off by gunfire. . , . DOWN IN NORTH SEA.' " '', LONDON, December 8. . According to a Berlin report, it is officially announced that a reconnaissance plane, returning from Britain, landed on the North Sea, though engine trouble. The crew' is afloat in a collapsible boat. Aviation rescue squads are on their way.