R.A.F. RAIDS

Grey River Argus, 15 February 1941, Page 6

R.A.F. RAIDS

LOSSES OF PLANES

Axis Exaggerations

[British Official Wifeless!- • RUGBY, 13.

The R.A;F. raid ort' Hanger - causedl d fi'dsli otftbuf&'-df f-iens. ;J “ i-

©n- the eleventh, the Germans hlffihied- ffift '3B'"'British aircraft' had been shot down since Sunday.

On February 12, the Italians claimed 50, which was later increased to 77.

The actual losse s over Germany and German-occupied territory were: Sunday? Two. Monday: Three.

Tuesday-Wednesday: Four. In the Mediterranean: SaturdaySunday night: Four. No British fighters have been lost over Britain since January 4.

A Wellington bomber, endeavouring to reach Britain from a night raid, with its wireless broken and its instruments made unreliable by a magnetic storm; completely- lost its way, and was met by an outgoing Hudson patrol, while Hying directly away from the British l Isles. Unable to see the land-in- the darkness, the Wellington probably had flown over part of Britain .without knowing it, and at sunrise, when the Hudson was met, it was rapidly running out of petrol. As the two planes approached each other the ..Wellington, captain signalled with a hand-lamp, asking how far it was to the nearest land. “Follow me,’’ came the reply from the Hudson, and th e Wellington was led 140 miles back to 1 an aerodrome near the Scottish coast, and landed' safely. .