AERIAL COMBATS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23602, 11 March 1940, Page 8

AERIAL COMBATS

BRITISH IN ACTION RAIDERS SUFFER BADLY THRILLING INCIDENTS / By Telegraph—Press Association —Copyright (Received March 10, r>.~> p.m.) British Wireless LONDON. M;.rel> i» A Royal Air Foito machine yesterday afternoon shot down a Heinkel « bomber into the sea olf the northcast coast of Scotland. When the'Jleinkel was first, sighted by a patrol of Hurricanes of the fighter command, it dived from a height of 2000 ft. to sea level. One of the Hurricane pilots attacked and the effect of his fire was enough. The Heinke! flew, turning from side to side, just above the water trying to dodge the Hurricane's fire. After a few seconds of running fight the Heinke! collapsed. 1

Previous Destruction ot a Raider The Heinkel which was shot down into the sea east of Aberdeen on Thursday was first observed flying east at a height of'approximately 27,000 feet. Spitfires climbed to attack the raider, while anti-aircraft guns on the land opened fire. Almost as soon as the lighters attacked one of the Heinkel's engines went out of action and smoke poured from it. The German pilot turned and glided toward the west, but. failing to reach the land, alighted on the sea. Before the Heinkel sank the Spitfire pilots saw a rubber boat launched. One member of the German crew was picked lip from tins boat by a surface craft. The Air Ministry announces that, in the course of reconnaissance and patrol operations carried out yesterday by aircraft of the bomber and coastal command of the Royal Air Force, three „ enemy patrol vessels near Borkum were with bombs. Bombing attacks were also made last night on a naval auxiliary vessel near the island of Svlt. Two enemy Heinkel aircraft encountered over the North Sea during the ' day were engaged and seen to be hit.

Germar Gunner Ceases Fire Further details of the action described in tliis announcement have now been disclosed. In the course of routine patrols far over the North Sea yesterday, a'reconnaissance aircraft of the Royal Air Force coastal command sighted a Heinkel 115 about a mile ahead. This type of Heinkel is a longrange twin-float seaplane. The British aircraft pursued and overtook it, and attacked from dead astern, a steady fire being maintained during the approach. At 150 yards it was apparent that bursts of fire were entering the enemy's fuselage. At 50 yards' range the attack was pressed home.

There was evidence now that the German rear gunner had either been disabled or killed. Until then he had fought back vigorously. Onyr of the British crew then signalled that his gun had jammed and the aircraft was flown into a cloud to allow the fault to be remedied British Flier Attacks Patrol Vessels 'Villi all bis guns again serviceable, the pilot emerged and saw his opponent below him. He dived to renew the combat at close range, and the damaged Heinkel was driven to find refuge in a cloud. The pilot of the British aircraft, which was unscathed in the action, searched for his adversary unavailingly and then proceeded on his patrol. Soon afterward the pilot saw three German patrol vessels, which he immediately attacked with bombs. "With a storm of anti-aircraft fire around him he could only observe that one of the bombs burst about 20 jards from one of the ships.

Having practically no machine-gun ammunition left, and having expended all his bombs, the pilot was obliged to cease his attack and continue his reconnaissance. Enemy Driven into the Clouds Another pilot of the same squadron on a different patrol saw a Heinkel floatplane almost at sea level. He dived from a height of 2000 ft. and attacked it on the starboard quarter with his machine-guns. He then climbed back to his original height and dived again, with his front gun in action. The German rear gun, which had fired steadily without result during both Attacks, was silenced. The enemy aircraft thereupon made for dense clouds through which it was chased for 20 minutes. During the chase it was seen on four occasions ,in the clouds, and each time bursts of fire were sent into it.

AWARDS TO AIRMEN DISTINGUISHED SERVICES (Bccjpived March 10. 5.5 p.m.) British Wireless LONDON, March 9 The King has approved of awards for gallantry and devotion to duty in the execution of air operations of five Distinguished Flying Crosses and eight Distinguished Flying Medals. Among Royal Air I'orce officers to receive the Distinguished Flying Cross one of 'whom is a Canadian, are two who have been pioneers in the new method of aerial photography. Among those to receive .-the Distinguished Flying Mf;dal several are described as skilful observers and navigators. One is decorated for good work in a raid on Wil helm shaven when his aircraft scored a direct hit on a German battleship and for his conduct in an engagement over the North Sea on January 10 between nine Blenheims and five Messerschmitts.

CASUALTY LIST BRITISH AIR FORCE (Received March 10, 5.5 p.m.) LONDON, March 0 The Air Ministry's casualty list No. 21 reports 11 men killed in action and .15 missing, including Group-Captain H. A. Whistler, D.S.O. Forty-three men were killed or died on active service. ' Group-Captain Harold Alfred Whistler is 44 years of age. He served in the war from 1914-18, being mentioned in despatches and winning the D.F.C. with two bars and the D.S.O. He had been for a year serving on the Air Start in India until the outbreak of the war.