RAID EN MASS

Opotiki News, Volume III, Issue 319, 4 October 1940, Page 1

RAID EN MASS

NAZI MARAUDERS IGNOMINOUS ROUT " NEARLY 1009 PLANES FIERCE R.A.F. DEFENCE WHIRLWIND FIGHTING MOST INTENSE OF WAR (News by Cable.) LONDON, Oct. 2. - There have been many astonishing happenings in daylight attacks against Britain, but none was more remarkable than to-day. Within a few hours enemy machines totalling 1000 desperately attempted to reach central London area. Great waves followed one another at short intervals and sought by sheer weight of numbers to overwhelm the defences. They were routed ignominiously.

The alarm sounded six times between breakfast and the later afternoon. The British fighters were never more brilliant. Time after time they broke up German formations'. There had been nothing like this whirlwind fighting around London since the blitzkrieg began. One of Greatest Attacks The day opened clear with a blue sky. It was soon evident that the Germans were intent on one of the greatest attacks of the war. Swarms began to cross the coast, sometimes 250 strong. There was nothing haphazard about the reception given the Germans by the Spitfires and Hurricanes which were far outnumbered. They were waiting inland at a great height and began to nibble furiously at the edges Of the German formations. The great majority of the Germans left no doubt that they wished to avoid close battle. Some of the Germans managed to reach the inner area, but time after time the invaders were broken up and driven off. The fighting continued at intervals at enormous heights throughout the day as fresh phalanxes tried to batter their way to London. The extent of the bombing had little relation to the numbers sent over. The Royal Air Force ended the day -complete masters of the situation. It is officially announced that up to 11 p,m. 10 German planes had been shot down.