ALLIED SUCCESS IN AIR

Southland Times, Issue 24108, 23 April 1940, Page 5

ALLIED SUCCESS IN AIR

12 GERMAN PLANES SHOT DOWN BRITISH HURRICANES IN ACTION (United Press Assn.—Telegraph Copyright) LONDON, April 21. In a week-end of glorious achievement the Allies collected a record bag of 12 and possibly 14 German aeroplanes, of which the French accounted for two. British fighters brought down the itySeveral times British. Hawker Hurricanes slipped over German territory, tackling the enemy almost within sight of their own aerodromes. The headquarters of the British Air Forces announce that this morning a patrol of eight fighters of the Royal Air Force encountered an enemy formation of 12 Messerschmitts 109’s in the neighbourhood of Saarlautern. The British fighters attacked and as a result of the general engagement which ensued two enemy aircraft were shot down and seen to crash in German territory. A third Messerschmitt was driven down, apparently out of control.

During the afternoon in an engagement with a strong formation of enemy fighters, another British patrol shot down one Messerschmitt 110 and one Messerschmitt 109, both of which fell in French territory. Another Messerchmitt 109 is believed to have been destroyed. One British pilot, having been slightly wounded during the first action, made a successful forced landing. All the rest of the aircraft returned safely.