HEAVY CASUALTIES AMONG GERMAN FIGHTERS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 83, Issue 301, 21 December 1939, Page 7

HEAVY CASUALTIES AMONG GERMAN FIGHTERS

HELIGOLAND AIR BATTLE

FIVE NAZI MACHINES DOWNED BY ONE BRITISH BOMBER FORTY SEPARATE ENEMY ATTACKS I British Official Wireless. ] Received Dec. 20, 5.25 p.m. RUGBY, Dec. J 9. It is now believed that more than 12 Messerschmitt fighters were shot down by the Royal Air Force bombers during- Monday’s action over Heligoland Bight, of which at least six were of the new MEIO type. Heavy casualties were inflicted on the enemy, and as was inevitable in such a fierce action, the British aircraft also suffered losses. But the German claim that 36 British aircraft were brought down is made more ridiculous by the fact that the total number of British aircraft engaged did not amount to anything like that fig-ure. One British bomber alone accounted for five (german fighters. The German fighters made about 4(1 separate attacks. The j leader of the British formation said: "I could see them collecting 'ike flies waiting to attack us.’’ Between Heligoland and Wilhelmshaven 25 Messerschmitts were seen. Even when the battle began the British crews continued on their course over German waters, determined to press on and bring back all the information they could obtain. They also met heavy anti-aircraft fire from ships and from the shore. Some enemy fighters hung on as our bombers were returning. One of our aircraft, while heading for home, became isolated from the others. It seemed to he an easy prey and the Messerschmitts attacked it in force. The pilot, in an effort to avoid them, dived to sea level and skimmed the sea surface with the enemy on the bomber’s tail. Two Messerschmitts, venturing too close, were immediately shot down by the rear gunner. Another Messerschmitt .joined the attack, its fire wounding the rear gunner and damaging the centre gun and wireless set. The second pilot took the rear-gunner’s place but found the ammunition was spent. A moment later the front gunner was wounded. The reserve pilot thereupon scrambled from the rear turret to the front gun. There he found plenty of ammunition and made full use of it. The British aircraft finally shook off its pursuers and I reached home. From the momentjt had dived to escape until it actually got away, its gunners had accounted for five enemy fighters. Another of our aircraft, when within SO jniles of the English coast on its way home, was forced down in the sea. Its plight was observed by the pilot of the following aircraft, which flew over it with the intention of dropping a rubber boat in ease the crew of the other bomber had not been able to make their’s ready. The crew, however, had been able to launch their own boat, and after some considerable time the airmen were picked up by a passing trawler. Another aircraft, whose rudder had been damaged in the action, made a safe forced landing a ‘few miles from home.