DRIVEN BACK

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23482, 20 October 1939, Page 9

DRIVEN BACK

GERMAN AIRCRAFT SCAPA FLOW AGAIN BOMBING PREVENTED DEFENDERS' SUCCESS By Telegraph—Pre.«s Association—Copyright LONDON, Oct, 18 The Air Ministry announces that enemy aircraft, apparently engaged on reconnaissance, were seen this morning approaching Scnpa Flow from the direction of Kirkwall and Diineansbay Head, Caithness. No bombs wore dropped. An air raid warning was sounded in the Orkneys during the morning, hut the all clear was given an hour later. Anti-aircraft guns peppered the sky when the intruders appeared over Caithness, and aircraft engaged them over the sea off Duncansbav Head. The Germans were driven off, but returned in half an hour, making for Scapa Flow. They were again driven off. Fruitless Attack on Monday Additional details are now available of Monday's enemy air raid on southoast Scotland, says a British official wireless message. At least two of the four enemy aircraft accounted for in this raid were shot down by British fighters, and the others by anti-aircraft and naval gunfire. Several more are thought to have been too crippled to complete the passage across the North Sea. No pilot claims to have brought down one of Monday's raiders single-handed. Their defeat was a team job. Only one hit was registered by the Germans —an armour-piercing bullet going through the cowling of one of the British fighters. It did no damage and is now in the pilot's possession. Unarmed Civil Fliers Surprised The most surprised men in the action were two British officers who happened to be flying an unarmed civil type of two-seater over the Firth of Forth. Seeing a large aircraft diving near them, they thought the pilot was being sportive and dived themselves. The crews of the German bomber and the British aircraft then suddenly recognised each other. A burst of fire sent the two British airmen back home in a hurry, and the German bomber, apparently just as startled, disappeared into a cloud.