GERMAN AERIAL LOSSES

Greymouth Evening Star, 17 September 1940, Page 7

GERMAN AERIAL LOSSES

SUNDAY’S NEW RECORD 185 CERTAIN—MORE PROBABLE QUIETER DAY FOLLOWS ’ ‘ [BY CABLE.—PRESS ASSN.—COPYRIGHT.]

" LONDON, September 16. Royal Air Force fighters and antiaircraft guns yesterday took a record toll 1 of the German Air Force, 185 being shot down in attacks, on Britain. The Royal Air Force lost 25 fighters, but the.pilots of 12 are safe. Anti-aircraft guns brought down seven of the raiders. The previous record for a day’s fighting was 180 German aeroplanes. This was on August 15. Of yesterday’s bag, 131 were bombers' In the last eight days the Germans have lost 455 aeroplanes >and 1100 airmen in attacks on Britain, while Britain has lost 101 aircraft and ’57 "'airmen.'- ' The damage the Germans did in their attacks yesterday is officially described as follows: “In the afternoon raiders bombed several points in and round the London area, and many in the south-west of England, causing small fires and damaging houses and industrial and municipal buildings in eastern and north-east-ern London. The casualties were not numerous. A heavy bomb hit one of London’s oldest hospitals, completely wrecking the medical block and in- | juring a medical officer, but it missed the wards on either side. The pa- I tients had been removed to the base- I ment earlier.” J This morning large formations ofGerman bombers and fighters resumed the attack. Along the coast they| were met by accurate anti-aircraft I fire which broke up the formations.. Then, further inland, British fighters > took up the battle, and the German | aeroplanes were sent scurrying for I home. Three short alarms were; sounded in London, all without incident. SUNDAY NIGHT ATTACKS. LONDON, September 16. German air attacks on . Britain were continued at night-time on Sunday by a succession of small groups of bombers. These attacks were directed mainly against the London area and the surrounding districts. A smaller number of attacks were also made in other parts of the country. The-attacks on London were spread over a wide area. Houses, commercial premises, and other buildings were damaged, and also three hospitals. Two houses in the south-west; of London were demolished by • bombs on Sunday night. _ Several in- | jured persons were extricated. It is, feared that there were some fatalities: j' A heavy bomb fell on a business i: building in Central London, which considerably damaged the two top,: floors, and also shook a nearby hotel. . Vast lumps of zinc from the ventilators on the roof of the business building were blown a distance of several hundred feet into a neighbouring street.

FEW CASUALTIES. RUGBY, September 16. Details of last night’s enemy raid on London form the substance of an Air Ministry and Ministry of Home Security communique, in which derails of to-day’s air activities are also included. The communique states: Reports so far received show that the number of casualties in last night’s attacks on London was a little greater than on recent nights, but much less than in the first attacks on the capital. Outside London, the casualties were few, but some were fatal. It is now known that two enemy bombers were shot down by our fighters during the night. This includes one already announced. There has been little enemy activity during the day. About 8 a.m., to-day, a force of enemy aircraft crossed the coast of Kent, in cloudy conditions, but were turned back by anti-aircraft fire, without encountering our fighters. • Later in the day, enemy aircraft, singly or in small numbers, crossed the coast at several points. A few bombs were dropped in various parts of the country, but the damage reported is slight, and the number of casualties very small.

GOERING OVER LONDON. (Received September 17, 10.20 a.m.) BERLIN, September 16. It is officially stated that Goering, last night, personally piloted a Junkers over London, accompanied by two destroyer planes. LULL ON MONDAY. FIVE BRIEF ALARMS. (Received September 17, 10.20 a.m.) LONDON, September 16. London had three short air-raid alarms this morning. The fourth, at 2.15 p.m., lasted until 6.3 p.m. The sirens sounded for the fifth at 8.15 p,m. Most central Londoners perceived little evidence or reasons for the succession of warnings, although during the early part of the fourth period, it was sparsely punctuated by the noise of bombs, anti-aircraft fire, and machine-guns. Two heavy bombs and a number of incendiaries fell near the shopping centre in a London area. There were no casualties. High-explosiyes were also dropped in another district. A church in the south-eastern district received a direct hit, last night. A large crater was blown inside the church, w'hich was extensively damaged. London’s fifth “alert” was still in force at midnight. . MR CHURCHILL’S MESSAGE. RUGBY, September 16.

: "Mr Churchill has sent a message to the R.A.F. Fighter Command, on yesterday’s great triumph. He says: “Yesterday eclipsed all the previous records. of the Fighter Command. Aided by a squadron of their Czech and Polish comrades, using only a small proportion of their • total strength, and under cloud conditions of some - difficulty, they cut to rags

and tatters three separate waves of the. murderous assault upon the civil I population of their native land, ini flicting a certain loss of 125 bombers and 50 fighters upon the enemy,, to • say nothing of “probables” and damaged planes, while themselves sustaining a loss of only 12 pilots and 25 machines. These results exceed all expectations, and give just and sober confidence in the approaching struggle.” ATTACK ON PALACE. LONDON, September 15. Watching crowds cheered wildly j when a Spitfire attacked and blew a ; German bomber to hits, immediately • after the attack on the palace. Part of the fuselage of the Nazi machine I fell a quarter of a mile away at Vic-. toria Station, and one wing landed half a mile away. One of the German bombs fell on the palace lawn, but did not explode. Incendiary bombs also fell on the garden, and several small fires were started. These were quickly extinguished by the [palace A.R.P. workers and the police. Apparently the Germans do not, know whether to say the raids are de- I liberate attacks on the life of the King or not. One German message! ’states that the attacks are justified, j because there is an oil depot near the [palace. This is not true. Another states that the bombs have been directed at Victoria Station, which is i near the palace. It is true that the istation is near the palace. I From all parts of the Colonial Em- ■ pire, telegrams continue to reach London, expressing heartfelt thanks that the King and Queen escaped injury in the bombing of Buckingham Palace, and indignation at the wanton attack. Typical of these is a message from the Governor of Tanganyika, who offers on behalf of the people of Tanganyika an expression of sympathy, and pride and admiration for the citizens of London who, led by Their Majesties, are meeting the barbarous assault of their enemies with inspiring fortitude. SHJP-GUN’S VICTIM. RUGBY, September 16. ( Information has been received that - the British s.s. Port Auckland, which • was proceeding down the river! Thames, during one of the enemy’s air ; attacks on London, yesterday, shot [; down an enemy bomber. A shell ( from the Port Auckland’s anti-air- ; craft gun burst close under the Ger- i man bomber, which caught fire, and crashed in flames on the bank of the river. One of the bomber’s crew was i seen to bale out. x I TWO MORE. [ (Received September 17, 1.40 p.m.) LONDON, September 16. 1 The total bag of German planes on September 15 is 187, including the 1 victim of the minesweepers, also that of the vessel Port Auckland, which shot down a German bomber over the Thames.

, SOUTH-EASTERN BASES. RUGBY, September 16. The Sunday triumph of the R.A.F. demonstrated very definitely the failure of the great effort by the German air force, to drive the R.A.F. fighters from their bases in the south-eastern coastal areas. Not one of these bases has had to be abandoned permanently, although some have suffered severe damage from time to time. The number of German machines brought down day after day over the south-eastern coastal districts is sufficient evidence of the efficiency of the R.A.F.’s bases in that area. ULSTER BOMBED? BERLIN, September 16. The radio claimed that the Germans bombed Belfast and other coastal towns in Northern Ireland. THAMES TRAFFIC. RUGBY, September 16. A service of “water buses” on the Thames, which has been introduced in the past few days, to relieve the congestion in other transport services, through the temporary disorganisation of a few routes, as a result of enemy bombing, has proved highly popular. The service has been accelerated, and the number of river craft engaged has been increased. A RECORD DEFEAT. RUGBY, September 16. Spitfire and Hurricane pilots of the Fighter Command delivered the most smashing defeat on the Luftwaffe it has ever received. Over one-third of the German bombers and fighters massed for what was to have been the enemy’s heaviest attack on London, were destroyed, and at least 450 of her trained crews lost. At least seven of the total of 185 aircraft destroyed were shot . down by antiaircraft guns, and it is expected when fuller investigation has been made that the total bag of the anti-aircraft guns will be found to be larger. The R.A.F. losses were but one-seventh of the enemy’s. When the R.A.F. pilots raced to attack, they saw 400 enemy aircraft in little groups of nine, arranged three by three, like a sergeant’s stripes. Each group of nine bombers had nine Messerschmitt 110 fighterbombers between them, with a little arrowhead flight of single-seater Messerschmitt 109’s circling above them as high as 35,000 feet. There were no very large bags of the enemy aircraft by single squadrons, though some who went up twice reached double figures. _ Spitfires and Hurricanes kept wearing the enemy down, attacking and attacking, and bringing down Dorniers, Heinkels, and Messerschmitts by ones, twos, and threes.

’ ENEMY’S HEAVY LOSSES., RUGBY, September 16. German air attacks on Britain proved extremely expensive, and with each, new assault demonstrated the superiority of the R.A.F. and the rapidly growing efficacy of the British ground defences. Since the beginning of the war, 2170 enemy planes have been destroyed over Britain. In the same period, 553 British aircraft have been lost over Britain, but 259 of the pilots have been saved. RANDOM. LONDON, September 15. The German radio to-day put out a report that would be difficult to believe had it not been heard by a number of expert listeners. The Germans said that bombs had been dropped in the east, west, south and south-west of London, and in the suburb of Random. While the announcement might show a strange ignorance of ; geography, it is surprising that the ! Germans have not admitted before that their bombs are dropped at random. TATE GALLERY’ HIT. RUGBY, September 16. It is now learned that during last week’s air raids on London, a bomb hit the Tate Gallery, famous for its collection of modern British paintings and sculpture, and for special galleries containing works by Turner. Sargent, and also modern foreign artists.

J PILOT AND LAND GIRLS. RUGBY, September 14. ' The watchfulness of British people to prevent enemy pilots who have been shot down or descend over the country by parachute, from escaping is well-known. A story is told, not .without humour, by a R.A.F. pilot | who had to bale out owing to his i oxygen apparatus catching fire. j “I came down rather too quickly ' and landed heavily in a potato field,” he said. “I was somewhat winded. I had hurt my legs and back, but not seriously. Before I could get up, half-a-dozen land girls came running iup with sticks, a spade and a hot . pitchfork. I called out: ‘Hello girls! Help me out of my brolly, will you?’ Realising that I was British they dropped their weapons. I asked if they could get a car or ambulance. Suddenly they dived for their sticks again, yelling ‘Hold off!’ I looked round to see them running at a Home Guard who was stalking me with his rifle to his shoulder.” GERMAN CLAIMS. (Received September 17, 11 a.m.) BERLIN, September 16. A communique states: Reprisals against London were continued at the week-end. Bombers attacked docks and harbour facilities, hit the Bromley gasworks, sets fire to oil dumps, and directly hit stations and industrial plants at Woolwich and in other parts iof London. Bombs were dropped on harbour installations at Dover and Portland, where an oil dump was set on fire; also aircraft factories at Southampton, and objectives at Liverpool” and 'Birmingham, starting numerous fires. The British unsuccessfully attempted to raid Berlin. Several houses were destroyed, and a school was set on fire. Two civilians were killed and several injured in a west German town. The enemy lost 79 planes. Fortythree of ours are missing. Our planes sank three merchantmen, totalling 26,000 tons. GERMAN LIES ANSWERED. RUGBY, September 16. An instructive commentary on the air fighting of the week-end is found in the German Press and wireless reports, which as the “Daily Telegraph” says, have burst into frantic tales of the destruction of London and panic of Londoners. It is clear, adds the “Telegraph,” that desperate efforts and propaganda are necessary to keep up the spirit of the German people. This, as usual, has thrown all restraint to the winds, and the old familiar and completely unfounded tales of the flight of the Court and Government, and the collapse of civilian morale, are given currency. One of these reports says the roads out of. London are blocked with panic-stricken refugees. There is no particle of truth in this report. London life goes on, and the difficulties caused by bombings are being surmounted with surprisingly little apparent interference. Even while air raid warnings are in force, there is little noticeable diminution in the rush of London street traffic.

The “Telegraph” adds: Facts not lies will decide the war, and we have the right to be proud of the success of London’s defence, and the grim and gay temper of her people. INVASION POSTPONED. NEED FOR REORGANISATION. LONDON, September 15. The Germans have reverted recently from mass attacks to raids by small formations and single aircraft. Reuter’s air correspondent suggests that this might be partly to make use of the cloudy .weather to carry out extensive reconnaissances, but it may be that after every heavy raid by big squadrons, the Germans need time to reorganise their squadrons and overhaul their machines. If this theory is right, states the correspondent, it does not suggest that' the enemy are preparing for an invasion with confidence. It suggests, however, that the Germans are bringing into action their front-line aeroplanes, and using their full air strength before even attempting an invasion.

“This invasion business is becoming more and more obscure,” said a British Broadcasting Corporation announcer.

Signor Farrinaci, a member of the Fascist Grand Council, stated to-day in the “Regima Fascisti,” that the invasion would not be launched until next Spring. He pointed out that in the war with France the Germans calmly waited through the Winter until Spring before making the offensive. The Italians are apparently trying to find a convincing excuse for the delay in the attack.

A remarkable feature of the attitude in London towards the repeated attacks after a week of intensive bombing is that so far from any weakening of will, the public resolution is strengthened. There is a quickening adaptation to the conditions of air warfare. A clearer and more reassuring calculation of chances has been induced, as well as a better understanding of how best

to escape danger. The discipline and steadiness Qf nerve displayed. by the public are blunting the edge of what n has hitherto been the enemy’s most d successful weappn—frightfulness, d London in the front line is steadily e improving its defences and adjusting - its life accordingly. ’’The object of- all individual acy tions and all regulations,” ,-counsels r “The - Times,” “must be to see that activities remain as, normal as pos- - sible, thus depriving the enemy of t the satisfaction of lowering output, retarding communications, and interfering with work of any essential kind. The front lines must be held, supplied, organised and repaired under fire, and both official rules and a private actions must be governed by - this principle.” DOVER SHELLED. 1 —— i LONDON, September 16. 3 The German long-range guns again shelled Dover this morning, while the t main streets were crowded witn E shoppers. Four salvoes were, fired, > causing only slight damage, and the j bombardment then ceased. REPLY TO BRITISH. LONDON, September 16. Heavy rainfall to-day broke many weeks of fine weather off Dover. The ■ sky over the Straits was overcast by low clouds and mist over the sea. The ; French coast was silhouetted against a pale horizon. The German long range guns on the French coast began shelling the Dover area at 11 a.m. The bombardment opened with a salvo ( while the town’s main streets were,. crowded with shoppers. . Four salvoes ' were fired in ten minutes, then the , shelling ceased. Eleven Dover people [ were wounded. k j It is understood that the German guns were replying to a bombard- 3 ment of the French coast from British . long-range guns, firing twenty-four j rounds across the Channel. D.F.C. FOR TWO N.Z.’ers. J WELLINGTON, September 17. J The following New Zealanders have j been awarded the Distinguished Flying cross: Flying Officer Brian John , George Carberry and Pilot Officer Michael James Herrick. The latter is a son of Mr. E. J. Her- , rick, Hastings, and is aged nineteen. J He was educated at Wanganui Colle- * giate School, where he matriculated, and he left to enter the R.A.F. Col- | lege, Cranwell, as cadet, in the middle j. of last year. No details have yet been received of . the exploits which gained the award J to these two officers. _ i

NEW ZEALAND HOUSE. (Recd. Sept. 17, 2.5 p.m.) LONDON, September 16. Mr Fraser’s message appreciating their steadfastness in the air-blitz greatly encouraged the High Commissioner’s staff. The bomb that caused the evacuation of New Zealand House on September 12 was discovered early in the morning by a house picket. The young member of the staff hastily collected the cyphers and secret codes. The entire staff next day, worked at the New Zealand; Forces Club, formerly an Italian : building, thus returning the hospitality, for the Club had been evacuated the day previously, when a timebomb fell opposite. New Zealand House was slightly damaged when the bomb exploded, although the roar was heard miles away, merely some windows being shattered, wooden palings and brickwork damaged, but the total damage was only a few pounds worth. The staff were uninjured. An air-liaison officer had a remarkable escape due to a “hunch.” He evacuated his wife and two children from the flat, and slept next night in a shelter. Returning to his flat in the morning, he found the building demolished from a direct hit.

An incendiary bomb fell in the Strand during a recent daylight raid. A New Zealand soldier leaning against a wall nonchalantly rubbed out the bomb which was a foot wide. DISTRESS RELIEF FUND DISTRIBUTION COMMENCED RUGBY, September 16. Large gifts from all over the world continue to be sent to the Lord Mayor’s London air-raid distress fund. The Governor-General of New Zealand has telegraphed £lO,OOO from the patriotic funds; £5OOO has been sent from the British colony at Buenos Aires; and £lOOO comes from the Maharaja of Durbhanga. Brisbane has cabled another £25,000, the Governor of the United Provinces a lakh of rupees, and the British War Relief in New York £5OOO. The fund opened by a Kenya newspaper already amounts to over £BOO. At a meeting of the executive of the Air-Raid Distress Fund, large grants were made to meet the needs of the afflicted boroughs. In one case, £5OOO was given.

AUSTRALIAN GENEROSITY. MELBOURNE, September 16. Since Thursday £130,000 has been subscribed in Victoria in aid of the victims of the bombing raids on Britain. The organisers of the fund stated to-day that money was still liberally pouring in. A collection taken in one group of theatres on Saturday night realised £lOOO. The suburban municipal councils are considering a plan to add one penny to the rates and give the proceeds to the fund. All the newspapers have opened funds. The “Argus” has already raised £15,000 and the “Herald” ’£7ooo. SYDNEY, September 16. The Lord Mayor, Aiderman Crick, to-day launched a fund in Sydney on behalf of the victims of the German bombing of Great Britain, the aim of which fund is £250,000. Gifts were immediately forthcoming, and brought the day’s total to £15,000. The City Council and the County Council are each contributing £25.000 to the fund in aid of the victims of German bombings in Britain. WELLINGTON’S QUOTA. WELLINGTON, September 16.

In answer to an appeal by the Mayor (Mr T. C. A. Hislop) to the people of Wellington to subscribe £3OOO as the city’s quota of the New Zealand contribution to the Lord Mayor of London’s fund for the relief of victims of the air raids, a sum exceeding that amount was assured before 5 o’clock this evening.