THIRD DAY OF AIR BATTLE FOR BRITAIN

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 84, Issue 191, 15 August 1940, Page 5

THIRD DAY OF AIR BATTLE FOR BRITAIN

78 ENEMY PLANES DOWN R.A.F. LOSE 13 FIGHTERS BUT 10 PILOTS REPORTED SAFE r British Official Wireless. 1 Received Aug. 14, 6.5 p.m. RUGBY, Aug. 13. The great air battle over Britain was continued to-day with mass attacks soon after dawn on aerodromes and shipping along the south and south-east coast. By noon it was evident that for the third day in succession R.A.F. fighters were exacting a heavy toll of the enemy, and final reports showed that 78 enemy machines had been destroyed. Thirteen of our fighters were lost, but 10 pilots were safe, three being- wounded. Earlier the Air Ministry announced that 69 enemy planes were destroyed: 32 were bombers. 23 fighter-bombers, and 14 fighters. Coastal anti-aircraft gunners again distinguished themselves, bringing down five more planes. In yesterday s air battles the German losses are now known to have totalled 65. This makes the total to date 268 for four days. Britain's loss for the four days is 68 planes I he Associated Press says that the Germans threw hundreds <>t planes into massed air battles this morning, extending over 100 miles along Britain's coastal front line. They swept in in waves of 50 to over 100. A big formation, taking advantage of a low ceiling, tlew in over the clouds and machine-gunned and cannoned barrage balloons, several of which were seen falling. As fast as the Germans came. Spitfires and Hurricanes rose to meet them Most of the battles were fought hioh over the clouds.