TOLL OF NIGHT RAIDERS

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLIX, Issue 21959, 10 May 1941, Page 7

TOLL OF NIGHT RAIDERS

Growing Success of British Fighters

Widespread Raids on Britain

By Telegraph—Frees Association—Copyright (Rec. 11 p.m.) LONDON, May 9. BRITISH night fighter* last night shot down another 12 raiders. It is estimated that these losses cost Germany SO airmen. The total enemy losses in night raiders this month has now reached 86, or four less than the total for the whole of April.

One squadron of British fighters ran into a wave of German bombers, and in 45 minutes had sent six of them crashing in flames. Two of them fell to a New Zealand pilot who has already won the D.F.C. for night fighting. Fourteen enemy ’planes were destroyed in daylight at a cost of one British fighter, the pilot of which was saved.

These successes followed the record number of 24 German night bombers brought down the previous night. In addition to this number the Under-Secretary of Air (Captain H. H. Balfour) told the House of Commons that enemy aeroplanes which were damaged or probably lost would run into double figures.

The Berlin radio, describing the clash between Nazi bombers and British night fighters, said that the latter were extremely fast. The radio, describing British bombers attacking German minesweepers, said: “These new bombers are monstrous. They are magnificent, deadly machines, and one must get in first to save one’s own skin.”

German raids on Britain last night were widespread, and were heaviest in the Humber area and the north Midland*. There was considerable damage and heavy casualties in the Humber area. Bombs were also dropped in the London district, on a north-west coast town and in eastern and southern England.

An earlier message said that letails of the oombat over France and Belgium, which gave three enemy raiders to last night's record Fighter Command bag, show that one" pilot spent more than an hour over an enemy aerodrome to France where returning bombers were coming in to land. Although he claimed as a confirmed victim only one which he saw crash, he severely damaged at least

two others. As he was leaving the aerodrome the pilot narrowly avoided a head-on collision with a returning enemy.

Another fighter pilot visited the aerodrome an hour earlier. His gunner gave one of the enemy bombers a burst which sent It plunging down through the clouds. Immediately afterwards he encountered and attacked a second. He Is only claiming one of these as destroyed. Both were shot up in the 35 minutes which the fighter spent over this aerodrome. A young D.F.C. pilot shot down a third bomber as it was returning to Its base In Belgium. He identified it as a Helnkei 111 by the light of flashes from his own gunns. The British pilot arrived over the aerodrome just as the enemy aircraft was trying to

land. The German pilot was unsuccessful at the flrat attempt and overshot. He turned to circle round and made another attempt, but before he could do this the R.A.F. fighter dived on him. Bursts from the pilot’s front guns set the ehemy on Are. Several attacks were then made by the rear runner on the Helnkei, which crashed in flames. There was a terrific explosion, followed by a fire which lit up the whole countryside. Other night fighters dropped bombs oil enemy aerodromes, starting fires iri hangars and buildings. Another force of Coastal Command Blenheims raided the harbour and shipping at Bergen, Norway, last night. In a cloudless sky with visibility extremely good the crews were able to make perfect runs over the target and carry out precision bombing. Many Raiders Damaged Many enemy raiders were damaged over Britain and some were almost certainly destroyed, although no claim was made for them. The weather was very favourable for fighter operations, and this was a most important factor, but there is reason for much satisfaction in the gradual but constant increase in casualties inflicted on the enemy since the early part of the year. Thus, while January and February showed totals of 15 each, in March 47 were brought down, which number was increased to 90 for April. With 85 for the first week in May, the increase appears likely to continue. It is estimated that the Nazi Air Force lost about 100 of its trained night airmen last night. Last night’s victories were scored under the light of a full moon, but the Royal Air Force’s successes against night bombers began before the moon was in its first quarter. Difficult Problem “The Times" says: “It should not be assumed that the problem of night raiders has been solved, or that our night fighters will always be able to maintain such a high average o* success. The problem of finding the enemy on dark nights remains difficult. More and more Royal Air Force night fighters are operating, the effect of which is reflected in the Increased number of night raiders being brought down.” It is now known that 13 enemy fighters and one bomber were shot down in daylight on May 8. The follc-.’ing telegram has been sent by the Secretary of State for Air (Sir Archibald Sinclair) to the Air Officer Commandtag-to-Chlef, Fighter Command: “I am charged by the War Cabinet to convey to you and your squadrons engaged in last night’s operations, our congratulations on their outstanding success.”