NAZI PLANES HURLED BACK WITH HEAVY LOSSES

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 84, Issue 178, 31 July 1940, Page 5

NAZI PLANES HURLED BACK WITH HEAVY LOSSES

MASS ATTACK ON DOVER ENEMY LOSE 20 PLANES IN HALF AN HOUR

[By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright) LONDON, July 29. A surprise attack on the Channel port of Dover by 80 German planes to-day was hurled back with heavy losses to the raiders. The battle raged for half an hour, during which 18 German planes were shot down, two by anti-air-craft fire. To-day’s toll of German raiders was 20, bringing' total German losses over Britain since the war began to 322. Since the first mass raid was made on June 18 the Germans have lost 248 planes, an average of six a day. An Air Ministry communique states:— “Strong formations of Royal Air Force fighters intercepted enemy bombers, escorted by fighters, which attacked Dover Harbour and the. south-east coast this morning. “Reports so far received show that our fighter pilots shot down eight bombers and seven fighters. Several of our planes were damaged in a fierce engagement, but only one was lost. An enemy bomber was shot down over the south of England.” The Air Ministry news service reports that 30 Junkers 87 dive-bombers, protected by 50 Messerschmitts, attempted to make a surprise attack on the harbour. Strong formations of Spitfires and Hurricanes swept up into the sky, which, within a few minutes, was filled with battling planes. The British pilots so harassed the Germans that their bombing aim was spoiled, and 20 enemy machines were destroyed in half an hour. Spitfires from one squadron destroyed four Messerschmitts and one bomber, while a Hurricane squadron shot down four bombers and one fighter. Five R.A.F. pilots reported that German planes fell info the sea in flames after making attacks. Describing- the battle, an eye-witness said that each German plane dropped a salvo of one big bomb and four smaller bombs. The terrific concussions of the bombs shook houses along' the seafront and shattered windows everywhere. Waterspouts 100 feet high showered spray over ships that bobbed like corks. The anti-aircraft gunfire was so intense that the last wave of bombers was forced to break off its dives and fly back out of range. Another source estimated that 100 planes, including between 50 and 60 dive-bombers, participated in the attack. The Air Ministry announces that it is established that 20 enemy aircraft were brought down to-day. To-night’s Air Ministry communique states that R.A.F. fighters this afternoon shot down an enemy bomber over the Channel coast and another in the Thames Estuary. It is now confirmed that in this morning’s engagement at Dover two enemy bombers were shot down by anti-aircraft fire, in addition to those shot down by fighters, making to-day’s total 20.