GOOD BEGINNING

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

GOOD BEGINNING

REPELLING RAIDERS BRITISH AIRMEN PRAISED PREMIER'S NOTE OF CAUTION (Received October 19, 5.5 p.m.) British Wireless LONDON, Oct. 18 "We know that in the air battles which, during the past two days, have for the first time been fought over our own coasts, we destroyed eight enemy aircraft without losing a single machine of our own;" said Mr. Chamberlain in the House of Commons. "We believe several more German bombers may have failed to reach home. "The total number of aircraft taking part in the raids did not exceed 30. The casualties we inflicted upon the enemy thus certainly exceeded 2o per cent of the attacking force, and may have been higher." These results were a splendid tribute to the courage and determination of the officers and men of the Royal Air Force. The Auxiliary Air Force won its first and resounding success by bringing down three o\it of the four German aircraft destroyed in the raid on JRosyth. "In these early days we must not, of course, indulge in boasts," said Mr. Chamberlain. "The attacks so far have been few and on a small scale, and it is unwise to assume that we shall always be as successful as in the first exchanges. . There are many surprises in war, and they cannot all be pleasant, but we have at least the satisfaction of knowing that we have made a good beginning." NORTH SEA FIGHT WARSHIPS AND AIRCRAFT REPORT FROM NETHERLANDS (Received October 10. 7.5 p.m.) LONDON. Oct- 19 A battle between six warships and 12 aeroplanes occurred off the island of Schiennonnikoog yesterday morning, outside territorial waters,- says the Amsterdam correspondent of the Daily Mail. Neither the aeroplanes nor the warships were identifiable. The British Admiralty has no confirmation of the .reported battle.