TERRIFIC AIR FIGHTING

Manawatu Standard, Volume LX, Issue 215, 9 August 1940, Page 7

TERRIFIC AIR FIGHTING

CONVOY IN CHANNEL ATTACKED | NAZIS LOSE 53 MACHINES 1 . 1 (United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph— I . Copyright.) I (British Official Wireless.) Received August 9, 10.15 a.m. RUGBY, Aug. 8. f At least 53 enemy aircraft were destroyed in the course of persistent attacks on a Channel convey to-day. An Admiralty and Air Ministry communique states: Enemy attacks on one of our convoys in the Channel were also made in the dark hours early this morning by E-boats (motor tor-pedo-boats). | During the attacks one E-boat was sunk and another damaged. Three coastal vessels' in the cofivoy were struck by torpedoes and sunk. The air attacks on this convoy began this morning and were renewed at intervals throughout the day. I The results of the - enemy bombing attacks are not fully known, but several ships have received considerable damage, the extent of which it is not possible to ascertain. A number of survivors and injured have already been landed. | HEAVILY ENGAGED.

I The [attacking enemy forces consisted of a large number of dive-bombers, accompanied by single and twin-engine fighters. As each attack developed, the enemy formation were heavily engaged by squadrons of our fighters. Severe losses were inflicted on the enemy, of which full reports are not yet available, but it is already confirmed that 53 enemy aircraft were destroyed. Sixteen of our fighter pilots are reported missing. Twelve Hurricane pilots of the R.A.F. Fighter Command lived again over the English Channel this morning the engagement fought by the same squadron more than two months ago over Dunkirk in defence of the retreating B.E.F. To-day, defending shipping, the Hurricane squadron engaged enemy dive-bombers as well as their fighters. They shot down six Junkers 87’s and three Messersehmitt 109’s .also damaging others. Some of Germany’s new IJeinkel 113 fighters were in action. Over France the engagement quickly became; a general 7'dog-fight” with each Hurricane pilot working on his own and attacking bombers and fighters as opportunity offered. Two of the British ifighters are missing. SCENES. To-day’s air battles over the Channel resolved themselves into a series of terrific Pdog-fights” above layers of clouds, states a Press Association report. The Germans approached the coast in formation. Hurricanes raced up, and the air was rent at times with almost continuous cannonfiro from the Messerschmitts and the crackle of the Hurricanes’ machine-guns. Occasionally, through breaks in the clouds. Hurricanes, with their guns blazing, were seen diving on the tails of the enemy fighters which flew eastwards. ' During the fighting the planes frequently swooped above houses, but no bombs Avere dropped. German planes earlier to-day dropped bombs near a convoy, but made off when our fighters appeared. The German communique’s version claims 34 British planes shot down, 15 ships sunk and eight damaged, and three German planes lost. The U-boats were not damaged. Shipping convoys are now carrying barrage balloons to ward off divebombers;?. Fighters patrol above the balloons.t Previously the greatest number of planes shot"down.bv the R.A.F. in one day on attacks on Britain and shipping was 28 on July 25.