FIERCE COMBATS

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20585, 19 June 1941, Page 5

FIERCE COMBATS

BRITISH FIGHTERS NAZI ATTACKS FOILED SCREEN OVER BOMBERS (Elec. Tel. Copyright—United Press Assn.) (Reed. July 19, 11.30 a.m.) LONDON, July 18. In a tremendous battle over the English Channel and French coast last night, the Royal Air Force shot down 13 enemy fighters and lost 10 planes. Many squadrons of each side clashed in fierce combat as the Germans sought to challenge our mastery over the Channel sky. Our fighters were escorting big forces of bombers drawn from the Coastal and Bomber Commands who renewed attacks on shipping and the invasion ports. Blenheim aircraft of the Bomber Command, with a strong fighter escort, I yesterday attacked an important industrial plant near Bethune in occupied France. The attack was made in daylight. There was no cloud cover. Sticks of bombs were dropped right across the plant. Fires were at once started and in a few seconds quantities of smoke were rising high into the air. Chemicals Explode “As I watched the smoke curling up, I imagined there would be no more to see,” said one observer, “Bui evidently the flames had touched off chemicals in the works for there were sudden bright explosions. They must have caused much destruction in the curious onion-shaped cooling towers for the clouds of smoke immediately increased and thickened.” As the aircraft made for home, their path was lined with black puffs oi exploding anti-aircraft shells. Overhead against the background of blue sky and very high cirrus clouds, fighters were busy beating off a yellownosed Messerschmitt which had got among the bombers. Four of them opened fire at close range. . The enemy plane was hit and broke off the fight with black smoke pouring from the root of the port wing. Ground crews were waiting at the base for the bombers to return and as they circled before landing the word went round that all were safe. Sweep Along Channel ' Spitfires and Hurricanes of the Fighter Command provided an escort for the bombers in a successful raid over occupied France yesterday. They also swept the Channel and enemy- . occupied territory, shooting down 13 Messerschmitts and damaging several others. A number of fighter squadrons provided the escort and although the German fighters tried to attack the bombers every one was fought oft by the Royal Air Force pilots who guarded the bombers to the target, protected them during the successful bombing and brought them all back to the base without loss.

One pilot reports that a Messerschmitt tried - to attack the bombers as soon as they crossed the French, coast and until they were half-way back across the Channel.

“Forty to 50 Messerschmitts attackt ed us for 30 minutes,” said one pilot. A Polish squadron which formed part of the escort was constantly attacked while over France, but h prcve.neu the enemy planes from getting near the bombers. During this opera non Spitfires and Hurricanes of other squadrons swept the Channel and northern France.

The total figure of enemy casualties includes only those aircraft seen to crash and takes no account of those probably destroyed but which did not crash within sight of British aircraft. A communique issued by the Air Ministry and Ministry of Home Security states: “A very small number of enemy aircraft flew over coastal areas in South Wales this afternoon. Up to 8 p.m. there were no reports of any bombs having been dropped. One enemy bomber was destroyed last night in raids on this country.”