SHIPS PROTECTED

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20310, 27 July 1940, Page 11

SHIPS PROTECTED

NAZIS DRIVEN OFF BEATEN BY BRITONS FIGHTS ABOVE SEA RAIDS ON CONVOY CHECKED THREE TIMES (Reed. July 26. 3 p.m.) LONDON, July 25. A hundred British and German planes provided the longest period of air fighting yet experienced over the south-east coast and the Channel. The German raids were more sustained than hitherto and the sky seemed to be filled with planes.

For hours the anti-aircraft guns and coastal guns were in action almost incessantly.

Many bombs were dropped, several falling inland from raiders which were driven away from shipping objectives.

Scores were dropped on one convoy consisting of 20 small freighters. Scores of British fighters flashed across the sky and were engaged by German fighters while dive-bombers circled low to attack the convoy. They hurtled down close on each other’s tails with the engines screaming. Attacks in Waves

There were three squadrons, comprising 27 bombers, in the first wave. Another formation of similar strength power-dived immediately afterwards. Shells burst all around them. The raiders climbed back gteeply and repeated the attack. British fighters closed in as the Germans sought the cover of the clouds. Two German bombers pitched in flames into the sea. Separate battles between British and German fighters raged. The British pilots finally gained the upper hand and routed the enemy. The convoy sailed on, but an hour later was attacked a third time. This was swiftly broken by anti-aircraft guns and fighters. A Norwegian motor torpedo boat also shot down a German dive-bomber. Another German bomber crashed in a field near a south-west village after a combat with a fighter. Members of the crew descended by parachute and were captured. In addition to nine German raiders shot down to-day, many others are known to have been severely damaged. The Royal Air Force lost one Spitfire