EXTENSIVE AIR WARFARE

Manawatu Standard, Volume LX, Issue 218, 13 August 1940, Page 7

EXTENSIVE AIR WARFARE

CHANNEL AND THAMES ESTUARY 39 ENEMY PLANES DESTROYED •4 (United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph — Copyright.). Received August 13, 9.50, a.m. LONDON, Aug. 12. \ It is officially stated that large-scale enemy activity is occurring over a wide area of the Channel and the Thames Estuary. Enemy planes crossed the Kentish coast this morning and bombs were dropped on several places near the coast.. Reports indicate there were a few casualties. The Evening News “late extra” says the biggest air battles of the war are proceeding along the Channel and the Thames Estuary. Hundreds of planes are engaged. An Air Ministry communique issued at 8.15 p.m. stated: “In to-day’s engagements round our coasts the total number ,of enemy aircraft so far known to have been destroyed is oJ. Nine of our fighters are, missing. It is now known that bo German aircraft were destroyed in yesterday s air battles. (This brings the total within four days to 164.)

NAZI RAIDERS FOILED.

The British fighters participating in the series of air battles to-c Lay foiled two large-scale German attacks on the South-East Coast, several raiders being seriously damaged in addition to five being shot down. The R.A.F. pilots pounced on the Germans in the first attack. One raider vanished out of control and the remainder broke off the engagement and fled for home. Three heavy explosions heralded the •ccond attack. Four German planes came over and sent down a balloon in flames. Anti-aircraft guns opened fire and British fighters attacked. All the British fighters soon afterwards returned. Three of the five German victims crashed in the Channel. A sixth, with smoko, pouring out, was seen beading for the French coast losing height rapidly. Two German pilots baled out and were carried further out to sea as their parachutes drifted down. BATTLE OVER TOWN. One of the sharpest engagements was fought over a coastal town. Two Germans were seen to break away with a Spitfire pumping bullets into one, which was put out of control. Another German crashed in flames. Five more German bombers were brought down this afternoon during the biggest raid on a south-eastern town so far received. About 30 Junkers 88 dive-bombers flew over and at least twelve Germans haled out. IN THE NORTH-EAST,

Fighters off the North-East Coast early to-day shot down a bomber. One member of the crew was killed and three were taken prisoner. , The R.A.F. chased other north-east-ern raiders out to sea. There were no casualties and no damage. The Admiralty announces that in the course of yesterday’s action His Majesty’s trawler Edwardian shot down an enemy'bomber and so damaged another that it is unlikely that it reached its base. There were some casualties aboard the Edwardian. NAVY DOES ITS SHARE.

An Admiralty communique forwarded by the British Official Wireless states: Information has now been received concerning five enemy aircraft which were shot down by anti-aircraft fire during an action between His Majesty s ships and enemy aircraft yesterday. The first enemy aircraft was shot down by H.M.S. Windsor. His Majesty’s trawler Edwardian, shot down the second enemy aircraft. The anti-aircraft fire from the ships was so intense and so accurate that it is impossible to state with certainty which vessels shot down the other three, but it was most probable the trawlers Edwardian and Peter Carey. Each accounted for at least one of them. There was no loss of life in the Windsor or the Peter Carey. An Admiralty, Air Ministry and Ministry of' Home Security communique states: The enemy bombing attacks which began over the Kentish coast this morning were later extended to the Isle of Wight and Portsmouth, where large forces were employed. ATTACK ON PORTSMOUTH. An attack on His Majesty’s Dockyard met with little success. Some bombs were dropped on of the dockyard area, setting fire a store and causing minor damage to a jetty. Two small armoured service craft were damaged and subsequen y 83 In other parts of Portsmouth a railway station was hit and a num buildings, including a brewery, set o fire The casualties caused included some deaths, but these were no numerous, having regard to the larg number ,of bombs dropped. ISLE OF WIGHT DAMAGE. In the Isle of Wight a church and some houses were damaged, ( and people were injured. received Later reports have also receded of attacks on the coasts of Kent and Sussex. Bombs were dropped t ber of jioints and shght romes caused several Iv.A.i . rtv Some houses and other ciyi n^+hj s at all points by our defences,. winch again inflicted serious losses witn casualties to themselves.