GERMANS ROUTED

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23817, 19 November 1940, Page 7

GERMANS ROUTED

FIGHT OVER. BRITAIN SUNDAY'S RAID ON LONDON HEAVY EXPLOSIONS HEARD By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright LONDON, Nov. 18 Thirteen enemy aeroplanes were destroyed over Bi'itain on Sunday, one of them being brought down by anti-aircraft fire. Five British aeroplanes were lost, but the pilots of four are safe. About 100 enemy aircraft took part in the attacks. Two Spitfire squadrons routed more than 40 enemy fighters. Sixteen Messersehmitts 109 in pairs flew in front, followed by 20 more in line abreast, with half a dozen Heinkels 113 a little above them. The Messerschmitts did not see any Spitfires until one of their number had already been destroyed. Between them these two squadrons accounted for eight of the enemy. Six were seen to crash into the sea. One more went down in flames. The eighth exploded in mid-air. The Ministry of Home Security announced that a considerable number of houses were damaged, and there were a number of casualties, a small number of which were fatal, when bombs were dropped on a south-east town shortly before dawn. Raiders Return After Lull Londoners were disappointed on Sunday night when, after the shortest early night raid so far, the Germans returned after a brief respite. One roofspotter . said that some of the biggest explosions seen for weeks occurred on the outskirts of London. There was a tremendous sustained rumble, giving the impression that the enemy was using some of the heaviest bombs. "Molotoff breadbaskets" were dropped, but no fires were started. Long lulls occurred, the Germans apparently sending over one or two raiders at a time. The pilots dropped bombs during a quick dash across the capital and then there was silence until the next raider appeared. Casualties Among Firemen Two auxiliary firemen and one firewoman were killed and some were injured when an explosive bomb fell outside a school used as a sub-fire station in the London area on Saturday night. The blast wrecked the interior, destroyed fire appliances and damaged near by houses. Two explosive bombs demolished four houses and damaged others in a near by road. Nine raiders dive-bombed in the vicinity of an East Anglian coast town and then made off .to sea. Little damage was done. SHIPPING BOMBED GERMAN SUPPLY VESSELS ONE DIRECT HIT SCORED British "Wireless LONDON, Nov. 17 The Air Ministry news service states that successful attacks were made against shipping during Saturday night, and one aircraft bombed three supply ships of about 4000 to GOOO tons, each of which was seen at the mouth of the Elbe. An observer saw two bombs burst close to the starboard and port sides of the leading ship. Half an hour after this attack another bomber sighted-a merchant ship of about 8000 tons, and one of the bombs dropped was reported by the rear gunner as a direct hit.