REPELLED BY BRITISH FORCES

Wairarapa Times-Age, 7 September 1939, Page 7

REPELLED BY BRITISH FORCES

Attempted Attack on East Coast of England FAILURE TO REACH LONDON REPORTED DESTRUCTION OF ENEMY MACHINE (Received This Day, 9 a.m.) LONDON, Septembei* 6. ;It is officially announced that enemy aircraft were reported near the east coast of England early this morning, but did not penetrate the British defences and no damage is reported. The Ministry for Information later stated that anti-aircraft units and fighters repulsed the enemy bombers. One British machine crashed and another was forced down. The pilot of the first machine was wounded in the head, while the pilot of the second plane commandeered a car, drove to an airport, reascended and re-engaged the enemy. A dog-fight between British and German planes was reported between Rochester and Chatham. Twenty raiders, going toward London, were intercepted by gunfire and Spitfire machines. It is believed that at least one German plane was brought down. The alarm was sounded in London from 6.42 a.m. until 9.02 a.m., but no planes were seen and no gunfire was heard. There was no sign of panic. People remained in cellars for the first half-hour, after which they emerged and went to their offices. Transport was stopped and people journeyed to the City on foot carrying “lunch boxes,” as gas masks have been nicknamed. Gunfire and earth shocks were reported from east and west of London. It is unofficially stated that German planes Were seen and driven off at Chatham. Gunfire was heard and a shell-burst was seen south-east of Ilford. An earlier unconfirmed report stated that the sound of gunfire was audible along the Thames, suggesting an action in the vicinity of the estuary. Gunfire on the eastern, horizon was visible from London rooftops last night.