NINETEEN DOWN

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20637, 18 August 1941, Page 5

NINETEEN DOWN

NAZI FIGHTERS FIERCE R.A.F. RAIDS DAYLIGHT BOMBING (Elec. Tel. Copyright—United Press Assn.) (British Official Wireless.) Reed. 10.30 a.m. RUGBY, Aug. 17. Yesterday was a day 'of widespread offensive by the Royal Air Force, in which both the Fighter and Bomber Commands participated. Besides successful attacks on a number of objectives. 19 enemy fighters were destroyed. To-day's activities are described in the following Air Ministry communique: “During yesterday two offensives over northern France were carried out by squadrons of fighters accompanied by Blenheim aircraft of the Bomber Command. Railway communications and an aerodrome near St. Omer were bombed in these attacks. Fighters also carried out several sweeps over the Channel and the French coast. In the course of these operations our fighters destroyed 19 enemy fighters. Four of our aircraft, all fighters, are missing. Fight With Seven Nazis “Yesterday morning, a “Flying Fortress” aircraft dropped bombs on the docks at Brest. After leaving the target, one "Flying Fortress” fought an engagement with seven enemy fighters. In beating off a series of attacks the crew suffered some casualties. but succeeded in bringing their damaged aircraft back to this country. "Blenheims of the Bomber Command searched for enemy shipping off the coast of Holland during the day. Only a patrol vessel was sighted and this was bombed and set on fire. No aircraft are missing from these operations'.” Six of the 19 pnemv fighters destroyed were shot down in as many minutes by an Australian squadron. The only damage to their aircraft was a single bullet hole. Two of the Huns were destroyed by a flight lieutenant who was leading the squadron. They brought his score up to three for the day. He had been with the squadron in the morning and got one then. A pilot-officer and three sergeantpilots", all Australians, destroyed a Messerschmitt apiece. The fight, which began many thousands of feet high, ended at sea level and the squadron returned home just above the wave-tops. Fieces Falling Off A Coastal Command Sunderland flying-boat, manned by Australians, successfully attacked a Focke-Wulfc Ivurier in the Atlantic yesterday. After a running fight during which the front gunner of the Kurier was silenced, the Sunderland had so damaged the German plane that pieces were seen flying off its engines and nose. The Kurier broke away and tried to climb. When it reached 500 ft. it staggered, lost height, and dropped to 200 ft. before it recovered and resumed climbing in wide circles. Finally, using ;ts greater speed, the Kurier disappeared, leaving a trail of black smoke a mile long, A squadron formed during the last war by Air Marshal Sir H. Douglas, now Commander-in-Chief of the Fighter Command, is already officially credited with the destruction of 991 enemy aircraft. The half represents an aircraft the destruction of which was shared with another squadron. An even .more remarkable record is the fact that in the last few months every German bomber seen in daylight by members of this squadron has been shot down. The squadron is one of the Fighter Command’s Hurricane squadrons.