GOOD DAY IN THE AIR

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 84, Issue 94, 23 April 1940, Page 5

GOOD DAY IN THE AIR

I ALLIED FORCES NAZIS LOSE PLANES A TOTAL OF TEN | British Official Wireless. ] RUGBY, April 21. The headquarters of the British Air Force announce: ‘This morning a patrol of eight fighters of lhe Royal Air Force encountered an enemy formation of twelve Messerschmitt 109’s In the neighbourhood of Saarlautern. Our fighters attacked and as the result of the general engagement which ensued two enemy aircraft were shot down and were 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 of our patrols shot down one Messerschmitt 110 and one Messerschmitt 109, both of which fell in French territory. Another Messerschmitt 109 is believed to have been destroyed. One of our pilots, having been slightly wounded during the first action, made a succesful forced, landing. All the rest oi the aircraft returned safely.” ((Daventry Broadcast). In addition to their losses oxer Norway, the Germans have lost ten planes since yesterday, seven of them in battles with British and French aircraft over the Western Front. The Allies Josses were two and in both cases the pilots were unhurt. The eighth German plane came down to.clay in Switzerland, and the ninth and tenth losses were due to i violations of Belgian and Swedish territory. The planes were destroyed by anti-aircraft fire and fighters. German planes were again seen over Belgium this morning, but turned away when anti-aircraft batteries opened fire.