SECOND NAZI AIR DEFEAT IN FOUR DAYS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 84, Issue 189, 13 August 1940, Page 5

SECOND NAZI AIR DEFEAT IN FOUR DAYS

SIXTY RAIDERS SHOT DOWN

TWENTY-SIX BRITISH FIGHTERS LOST

VAST BATTLEGROUND IN SOUTHERN AND EASTERN ENGLAND

(By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright) Received Aug. 12. 9.5 p.m. LONDON, Aug. 12. Germany suffered a further crushing air defeat for the second time in four days. The entire stretch of skies and waters in southern and eastern England was a vast battleground throughout the day. An Air Ministry communique at midnight reporting the destruction of 60 German planes, disposed of Germany's exaggerated claims which had progressively increased throughout the night. The latest report from Berlin admitted the loss of only 17 German machines and claimed a total of 89 British planes and eight barrage balloons shot down, three convoyed merchantmen and one destroyer sunk, and four merchantmen damaged. The Air Ministry reports that 26 fighters were lost, but the pilots of two of these are safe Two of His Majesty’s ships at Portland suffered minor damage from splinters, and bombs ashore caused some damage to naval buildings, including a hospital. There were a number of casualties, one being fatal. The official communique adds that a number of houses at Portland and Weymouth were damaged by bombs, some seriously. Some damage was done to communications. An oil tank was set on fire but the flames were soon extinguished.