BATTLE IN AIR

Waikato Times, Volume 126, Issue 21039, 15 February 1940, Page 7

BATTLE IN AIR

OFF THE ENGLISH COAST NAZI RAIDER DRIVEN OFF PLANE SHOT DOWN {United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright) LONDON, Feb. 13 The Air Ministry announces that three Royal Air Force Fighter Command pilots dived 14,000 ft. in pursuit of a Heinkel raider off the mouth of the Thames Estuary this evening. Daylight was already fading when the British pilots, in Spitfires, sighted the raider thousands of feet above them. The raider immediately began a long twisting dive toward a patch of cloud far behind. The Spitfires followed and fired in turn as they dived. As fast as the raider eluded the fire of one machine another was ready to take up the attack. Although visibility was very poor throughout the action, several bursts of fire took effect. When last seen the enemy was heading eastward into clouds and darkness. Plane Shot Down An air squadron formed from the gift of the Nizam of Hyderabad was the first of the newly-formed squadrons to shoot down an enemy aeroplane. It sent a Heinkel crashing to the sea during raids on shipping on February 3. A souvenir, a rubber boat in which the crew tried to escape, adorns the squadron’s mess. Later The three fighter pilots believe that they brought down the raider on February 13. They said that bullets struck the Heinkel and the rear gunner probably was hit, as he ceased firing.

The under-carriage was half lowered as the plane attempted to fly in the clouds to the east.