Attacking Raiders Returning to bases

Manawatu Times, Volume 66, Issue 107, 7 May 1941, Page 5

Attacking Raiders Returning to bases

FIGHTER PILOT GOES AFTER FIVE BOMBERS (British Official Wireless) Received Tuesday, 9.20 p.m. RUGBY, May 5. One pilot of the Fighter Command •pent an hour on Sunday night over an enemy aerodrome in occupied France from which bombers attack Britain. During this time he attacked live tier* c*an raiders returning to their base and although he was unable to see the results of his attacks all live enemy planes must be regarded as at least •eriously damaged. The pilot reports that during the whole hour he was constantly fired at from the ground. A Messerschmitt 109 was shot down into the Channel on Monday afternoon by a pilot who was merely out to test his guns, states the Air Ministry News Fei vice. This flight lieutenant and his sqi adron leader were over the Channel me king for a suitable place to lire os 3non shells into the sea when the)* w; re told over their radio that four M ‘sserschmitt 109 s were flying towards the Channel. The pilots turned round and searched for about live minutes without success. Then they returned to continue their interrupted practice shooting. A few miles out the squadron leader told the flight lieutenant to fire first. He did so ' and saw two Messerschmitt 109’s about ]

000 yards ahead flying towards France. He said later: “I took a long shot with my cannon and fired for only two or three seconds. I saw one of the enemy fighters dart up into the clouds and the other disappeared from view going straight down. I was told by my squadron leader that u Messerschmitt 109 had gone straight into the sea.’ 1