DEADLY BRITISH BOMBERS

Manawatu Standard, Volume LX, Issue 227, 23 August 1940, Page 7

DEADLY BRITISH BOMBERS

NEW TYPES INTRODUCED SURPRISES PLANNED FOR GOERING (United Press Association —By Electric-Telegraph-Copyright.)' (British Official Wireless.) ; Received August 23, 11.15 a.m. RUGBY, Aug. 22. The success of the British fighter aircraft in defending Britain and the bombers in their attacks on Germany and enemy-occupied territories has not let the authorities here to relax in their efforts to produce more powerful machines in the bomber classes. According to reliable reports, new Britisli bombers which, will soon be brought into service are twice as powerful m every respect as those now in u se, and despite their great size they are extraordinarily fast.

One feature of the new bombers is •tated to be the increase in the number of machine-guns carried. Machineguns are held by British designers to be more effective and deadly than the cannon on which the German Luftwaffe (Air Force) have placed so much reliance.

Thp older type of Wellington has given. an even finer performance now that Rolls Royce-Merlin engines are fitted in place of the previous type. The new speed is estimated to be considerably higher than the former speed of about 260 miles an hour. The first track assembly line system in a British aircraft factory is now operating for the final stages of construction of the Miles Master, the fastest single-engined training plane in the world. SMALL SCALE. RAIDS ON BRITAIN. / STEEP GERMAN CLAIMS. -Received August 23, 10.35 a.m. LONDON, Aug. 22. Enemy air attacks during the night Were on a very small scale. High explosive bombs fell at two points in South-East England, where some damage was caused to gas and water mains in a coastal town. A railway line further inland was temporarily obstructed. An Air Ministry and Ministry _of Home Security report states: During the night a bomb fell on a hillside in South-East Scotland, slightly wounding one soldier. So far as is known at present this was the only casualty during the night. A Berlin communique states: “In night air reconnaissances over Britain yesterday numerous industrial plants, harbours, railway lines and 15 aerodromes were attacked with good results. Hits by bombs were observed on industrial plants at Skegness, Great Yarmouth, Whitby, Coventry and Bournemouth, .also the harbour installations at Bridlington. A docked ship was bombed at Southampton dockyard and a merchantman badly damaged by bombs during an attack on a' convoy off the East Coast of England. “Our bombers effectively attacked at night aeroplane factories in the south-east of London in addition to an armament factory near Brighton. The enemy dropped bombs last night on North Germany, but caused negligible damage. The enemy yesterday lost seven planes. Six of ours are missing.” MASS AIR ATTACKS. DANGER NOT PASSED. Received August 23, 8.5 a.m. LONDON, Aug. 22. “In thp coming months, with the help of the Dominions and our Allies, we shall sally out from our fortress and seek to cleanse Europe of the stain and horror of gangster rule,’ stated the Air Minister (Sir Archibald Sinclair) in his speech in the House of Commons. . , . “No doubt you have rightly been encouraged by the recent air battles, but you would be mistaken u you were beginning to think that the danger of massed air attacks has passed Sir Archibald told the House that the Distinguished Flying Cross had been awarded to. 349 whom were pilots, and the Distmguished Flying Medal to 221 airmen, 52 of them sergeant-pilots.

COURAGEOUS PILOT.

D.F.C. FOR NEW ZEALANDER

Received August 23, 9.25 a.ni. LONDON, Aug 22. Pilot-Officer O. F. Gray ofChnstchurch, has been awarded the D.l x>. The citation states that he has flown 'continuously on offensive patroE since last year. He participated in many engagements against the enemy throughout the Dunkirk operations and suhsmuentlv throughout the intensive air operations over m protecting shipping in the English Channel. Pilot-Officer Gray has shot down gur Messerschmitts and is believed to have destroyed a further four. He also as sistedin destroying, one Messerechmitt and one Dornier. His example of cour age and determination in action .Ims contributed materially in maintaining the high morale of his squadion. RUNNING~IIGHT. PLANES OVER NORTH SEA. (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, Aug. .21. An Air Ministry communique .issued in the vicinity states^ Coastal Command Hudsons, aftei mak ing a dive-bombing attack enemy ships in the North enemy afternoon, encountered seven fighters escorting the A run nlng fight ensued m which one * fighter was shot down into the sea. Um aircraft, though damaged, Ended safely. YESTERDAY’S ISOLATED RAIDS. (From Daventry.) , Three or lour Nazi planes are lieved lo have been shot down Britain last evening, after a day . which four machines were “i « announced to have been brought ? A large formation of enemy . m crossed the coast in the evening- . Since June 18 a total of 1002 German planes have been shot down ov around the British Isles. . w i General de Gaulle has announced that the Vichy Government has gne to Germany SCO planes from the French Empire. ’ • .■ ■