WATCHES BATTLE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23748, 30 August 1940, Page 9

WATCHES BATTLE

MR. CHURCHILL'S TOUR NAZI FIGHTER'S CRASH "ANOTHER OFF THE LIST" By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright (Received August 20, 5.5 p.m.) LONDON, August 20 Spitfires and Hurricanes three times on Wednesday broke up and routed strong enemy formations —the first at 8.30 a.m. over the Kentish coast, consisting of 100 bombers and fighters ; the second at mid-day over the Thames Estuary, consisting of 120 bombers and fighters; and the third at 5 p.m. over the south-east coast, consisting of over 100 Messerschmitts, which dived into clouds immediately they sighted British fighters, who shot down at least 10. The Prime Minister, Mr. Churchill, ■who was inspecting air raid damage at Ramsgate and other parts of the south-east coast, yesterday saw seven enemy aeroplanes shot down, in one of the fiercest air battles of the war. One German machine plunged into the ground in flames several miles away. Mr. Churchill drove to the spot and tracked down the Messerschmitt in a field. An officer was already guarding the wreck Mr. Churchill asked "Is it one of theirs or ours?" The officer replied "One of theirs." Mr. Churchill: Goodl That makes another off the list. A Hurricane squadron, which in nine days' fighting in Frauce destroyed 59 of the enemy, 'also did great damage. They saw four Messerschmitts crash or fall in flames, and seriously damaged another three. A Glasgow squadron, composed of '.'week-end" (auxiliary) pilots, has now destroyed 63 enemy aeroplanes without loss. , The Belgian Legation announced that two Belgian fighter pilots, including the distinguished peace-time aviator, Lieutenant • Philippart, have shot down seven German aeroplanes since August 18. OFFENSIVE COMING MINISTER'S STATEMENT PART FOR CANADIAN TROOPS (Received August 29, 5.35 p.m.) OTTAWA, August 28 The Canadian Minister of Defence, Colonel J. L. Ralston, stated that an All-Canadian Army Corps would be formed in Britain under Major-General McNaughton, Commander-in-Chief, immediately the training of the 2nd Division had been completed. The 3rd Division would be concentrated in maritime provinces of Canada early in October. The Minister added: "There is an offensive phase coming. Just when. 1 do not know, but our Canadian Ist Division is thoroughly trained and is

ready. It will be in the thick of it when the war is developed to the point where the Canadians' chance is coming." A British official wireless message says a separate command for Canada's defence forces in the Atlantic area and along the approaches of the St. Lawrence River has been established under Major-General W. H. P. Elkins, whose charge will also include Canadiaivtroops now on duty in Newfoundland. This development represents a major step in the defence of what Mr. Ralston describes as "our most vulnerable area." , . The Dominions Secretary, Lord Caldecote, to-day inspected a squadron of the Royal Canadian Air Force, which was originally an Auxiliary Air Force squadron formed and based at Winnipeg. He expressed appreciation of its work. COMFORT IN SHELTERS LONDONERS' CALMNESS LONDON, August 'M A man telephoning from an air raid shelter in London at midnight said: "The people here are comfortable with deck chairs, armchairs, camp beds, books, chess, draughts, cards and a sweepstake. We are now holding on until the all clear goes." An enemy aeroplane had been circling for 30 minutes, periodically cutting olf the engine and then picking up again with a series of hoarse coughs and splutters. GERMAN STATEMENT BERLIN, August 28 A German communique states: "Poor visibility on Tuesday confined'our air force activities to armed reconnaissance in which bombs were dropped on harbour installations at Gosport. k "Last night strong German air nnits attacked harbour works, aircraft factories and armament plants in England and Scotland. Fires broke out at Southampton, Aberdeen, Derby and Birmingham. The docks at Chatham, particularly, showed the effects of raids."