MAJOR BATTLE REPORTED

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLVIII, Issue 21557, 20 January 1940, Page 9

MAJOR BATTLE REPORTED

Air Activity Near Heligoland Sylt Raid Denied United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright (Received January 20, 12.52 a.m.) LONDON, January la. Eye-witnesses saj that German 'planes took off from Sylt at 6 p.rr flying towards Heligoland. Heavy anti-aircraft fire lasted 30 minutes. Naval gunfire fiom Heligoland and the presence of five unidentified ’plane- at 8 p.m. is also confirmed. It is believed that two raids occurred. According to an earlier message the thunder of a major air, and possibly also a naval battle, began at Hitler's chief North Sea airbase at Sylt at 6 p.m. Squadrons of big German aeroplanes went up from the northern tip of the island and fighters from Schleswig flew south and west. Anti-aircraft guns blazed furiously and heavy gunfire, resembling naval guns, broke out in the Heligoland area. Five aeroplanes, believed to be British, swooped from the north-west at 8 p.m. and dropped five bombs on Rantum and Keitum where the Hindenburg Dam railway ends. The British aeroplanes' machine-guns maintained an intensive fire. Towns were completely blackedout, but the sky was ablaze with searchlights. The battle was continuous. The Exchange Telegraph Agency Company says it is authoritatively stated in London that no Royal Air Force machines were over Sylt. Recent Battle Described A young Scottish Royal Air Force Sergeant-Pilot describes a recent battle over Heligoland in which 22 Messerschmitts met British 'planes. The British 'planes shot down "one German after another—so many I lost count. A terrific battle against heavy odds lasted 49 minutes. The Messerschmitts sent down several of our ’planes.”