One British Plane Accounts For 5 Nazis

Northern Advocate, 21 December 1939, Page 6

One British Plane Accounts For 5 Nazis

Heligoland Air Battle

(’Received O.flO a.m.) , LONDON. December 20. JTURTHER DETAILS OF THE HELIGOLAND AIR BATTLE ON MONDAY REVEAL THAT THE GERMANS MADE 40 ATTACKS ON THE FORMATION OF BRITISH BOMBERS, ONE OF WHICH SHOT DOWN FIVE MESSERSCHMITTS. It is now believed that the German losses exceeded 12 machines, at least six of which were a new type, the MVE. 110, called ‘ 1 Destroyer ’ ’ a emplanes. These new machines are extremely fast and are armed with cannon as well as machine-guns. The leader of the British formation, referring to the German fighters, said: “I could see them collecting like flies waiting to attack us. ,?

Heavy Anti-Aircraft Fire. Between Heligoland and Wilhelmshaven 25 Messerschmitt fighters were seen. Even when the battle , had begun, the British crews continued on their course over German waters, determined to press on and bring back all the information they could obtain. They also met heavy anti-aircraft fire from ships and from the shore. Some enemy fighters hung on as the British bombers were returning. One British aircraft, while heading for home, became isolated from the others. It seemed to, be an easy prey, and Messerschmitts attacked it in force. Dived To Sea Level. The British pilot, in an effort to avoid them, dived to sea level and skimmed the surface of the sea with the enemy on his tail. Two Messerschmitts venturing too close, wei’e immediatley shot down by the rear gunner. Another Messerschmitt joined in the .attack, its fire wounding the rear gunner and damaging the centre gun and wireless set. The second pilot took the rear gunner’s place but found the ammunition was spent. A moment later the front gunner was wounded. The reserve pilot thereupon scrambled from the rear turret to the front gun. There he found plenty of ammunition, .and made full use of it. The British machine finally shook off its pursuers, and reached home. From the moment it had dived to escape until it actually got away its gunners had accounted for five enemy fighters. Forced Down. Another British bomber when within 80 miles of the English coast on its way home, was forced down in the sea. ! Its plight was observed by the pilot of a machine following, which flew over it with the intention of dropping a rubber boat in case the crew of the other bomber had not been able to make their’s ready. The crew, however, had been able to launch their own boat, and after some considerable time the airmen were picked up by a passing trawler. Another machine, the rudder of which was damaged in action, made a safe forced landing a few miles from home, German Claims Ridiculous. No fewer than 17 machines have been brought down over the Bight since Thursday. , < It is stated that the German claim that the British lost 36 machines is ridiculous. The total British bombers involved was far less than that. A semi-official statement issued in Berlin says that in a second British raid on the Friesian Islands on Monday evening, bombs were dropped at random.

No damage was done and the aex’oplanes were driven off by gunfire.