GERMAN LOSSES

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23773, 28 September 1940, Page 11

GERMAN LOSSES

5 31 IN HALF AN HOUR FINE WORK OF FIGHTERS BRITISH AND POLISH PILOTS s T By Telegrnph—Press Association—Copyright (Received September 27, 7.10 p.m.) 1 LONDON, Sept. 27 The Air Ministry reveals that dur- , ing a half-hour German attack on r Thursday against Southampton, two j fighter squadrons, one British and , one Polish, shot down in all 31 GerI man machines. Fifty Heinkol bombers, heavily protected by fighters, approached the isle of Wight at a height of 16,000 ft. The 1 Poles, flying Hurricanes, immediately ■ attacked the bombers and chased some ■ of them across the Channel to France. ' Meanwhile nine Spitfires took on a further 30 bombers, escorted by fighters, • at a height of 14,000 ft., and chased the ' attackers out to sea after a series of ' thrilling encounters. The Air Ministry announced that six of our fighters were lost, but two of the pilots were saved. A communique issued by the German High Command states: "On Wednesday the enemy lost 10 aeroplanes, eight of which were Spitfires. One of them was brought down by our naval anti-air-craft guns off the North Sea coast. Six of our own aeroplanes are missing." The following authoritative comment was made in London:—'"With regard to the German figures for air losses, '26 German machines were in fact shot down on Wednesday, against four British machines, with three pilots safe. "In consequence German losses in trained pilots and air crews compared with the British losses in personnel amounted to no less than 70 to one." NEW NOISES IN SKY DEFENCE OF LONDON FRESH TYPES OF WEAPONS GERMAN PARACHUTE BOMBS (Received September 27, 10.20 p.m.) LONDON, Sept. 27 New forms of defence and attack have been used in the past few night raids on London. Citizens have been aware of new and strange noises. They have heard thunderous explosions, disintegrating into staccato cracks high in the heavens. There , has also been a muffled rattling, which has been dubbed "carpet-slipper machine-guns." There is also a curious flat roar, something which seemingly strikes an imaginary ceiling miles up and then blimps clamorously along the top of the sky. These queer noises are actually caused by new types of weapons, or well-tried weapons that have been adapted to new uses. There are also new types of shells, the composition and effect of which are secret. New and more elaborate types of "flaming onions" have also been noticed on "recent nights. German surprises include parachute bombs, described as shiny and cigarshaped, and apparently constructed of an aluminium alloy, which float down gently and explode after landing. TRADE FINANCE PLAN (Received September 27, 5.5 p.m.) WASHINGTON, Sept. 20 President Roosevelt has signed the bill authorising the Export and Import - Bank to lend 500,000.000 dollars to assist in the development of trade with South America.