BIGGEST AIR FIGHT OF WAR
NINE GERMAN PLANES BROUGHT DOWN (United Press Association— Telegraph Copyright) (Received November 7, 6.30 p.m.) LONDON, November 6. During a violent fight, nine French fighters attacked a group of 27 German fighters. Nine of the latter were brought down, seven falling within French territory. Every one of the French aeroplanes engaged in this encounter returned safely. The Daily Mail says that the greatest air battle since the war began ended in the rout of the Nazi attackers, who were outclassed and outmanoeuvred in the most violent air fighting yet seen. The Germans, one after another, crashed to earth until the raiders wheeled and fled home. Every French flyer *‘got his man.” The Daily Herald says that the French fighters which were four or five years old, are considerably less efficient than the American types now available in quantity. They are also inferior in performance to the British fighters on the Western Front. A semi-official French commentary states that it is a sensational and most significant victory. The German Messerschmitts may perhaps be speedier in straight flying, but the French machines have the upper hand in aerobatics, a vital factor in fighters.
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Southland Times, Issue 23969, 8 November 1939, Page 7
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196BIGGEST AIR FIGHT OF WAR Southland Times, Issue 23969, 8 November 1939, Page 7
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