SEVEN SHOT DOWN

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20527, 10 April 1941, Page 7

SEVEN SHOT DOWN

GERMAN RAIDERS FIGHTERS’ GOOD TOLL COVENTRY MAIN TARGET EXTENSIVE DAMAGE (Elec. Tel. Copyright—United Press Assn.) (British Official Wireless.) Resd. 11.30 a.m. RUGBY, April 9. British fighters shot down six German bombers and one was destroyed by anti-aircraft fire last night during raids on Britain which included a fierce attack on Coventry.

T.he official communique states: “The r.ain attack by enemy aircraft last night was directed against the Midlands. In this area a raid lasting several hours was made on Coventry. Considerable damage was done. Full information of the casualties is not yet available, but it is feared they may be heavy.

“Bombs were also dropped in a number of districts, especially in the south-east and on or near the south coast. Many did no damage but in iwo towns on the south coast a small number of persons were killed. Some damage was done.”

Apart from the six enemy bombers destroyed by night fighters, others were damaged and in trouble when they made for home.

In addition, other Royal Air Force aircraft visited enemy aerodromes early this morning and dropped bombs while the enemy aircraft were returning from raids, shooting up and dowsing landing lights, damaging ground material and transport. Hurricane Gets Two Heinkcls One Hurricane pilot shot up two He.nttel Ill’s while on a single patrol which lasted little more than an'hour. His first success caused a large explosion in the enemy aircraft as his builets struck the fuselage. This was seen by his flight commander who was about to attack another Heinkel 111. The (light commander also destroyed his victim.

A flight commander flying a Defiant and the pilot of another Defiant got the fourth victim.

A squadron leader in a Spitfire, who also scored a success, got so close io his target that he was momentarily blinded by the effect of his bullets hitting the enemy aircraft. His second attack resulted in great burning pieces failing away from the enemy aircraft as it dived through the cloud.

Two enemy bombers were shot down this morning into the sea off the Welsh coast by British fighters.

It is known now that on Monday night an enemy bomber was also destroyed by anti-aircraft fire off the north-east coast, making six aircraft in all destroyed that night. The Berlin news agency stated that the Luftwaffe last night attacked 30 important objectives, including Chatham. Hull, Great Yarmouth, Manchester, Swansea,. Plymouth, Portsmouth and . Bournemouth, also aerodromes in the south of England and docks at Southampton. They set lire to the Rolls-Royce works at Crewe. A Berlin official message stales that a strong Royal Air Force formation last night penetrated North Germany. The raiders damaged several houses and killed and injured a number of persons.