COMBATS IN THE AIR

Waikato Times, Volume 126, Issue 21082, 8 April 1940, Page 7

COMBATS IN THE AIR

FOUGHT AT GREAT HEIGHT SEVERAL PLANES DESTROYED ATTACKS ON PATROLS (omclal wireless) (Received April 8, 1.10 p.m.) RUGBY, April 7 The headquarters of the Royal Air Force announces that this morning a fighter patrol of the Royal Air Force encountered a large formation of enemy fighter aircraft in the neighbourhood of Metz. The enemy formation attacked our ' patrol, and as a result of numerous combats, which were fought at a great height, one Messersthmitt 108 was shot down near Boulay. All our aircraft returned safely. The Air Ministry announces that during a patrol over the North Sea by aircraft of the Royal Air Force on Sunday afternoon enemy fighters were encountered and an engagement took place. One enemy aircraft was destroyed and at least one other is believed to have been damaged. Two of our aircraft failed to return. Several Fierce Combats Fierce air combats over land and sea took place at the week-end. Joint reports by the British and French headquarters confirm that five German fighters were brought down near Metz. The German News Aghney says that German fighters engaged 24 Wellington bombers 90 miles north of Sylt Island this morning, shot down two, and forced others to retreat. The Germans suffered no casualties. Thus far the Air Ministry has not referred to this encounter. Three air raid alarms, morning, afternoon and evening, were sounded in the Orkney Islands. Fighters patrolled the area, but no planes were sighted. The German News Agency admits “enemy flights at a great height dver Heligoland and north-west Germany.” It adds that the German Air Force reconnoitred France. A Domier engaged and eluded four French fighters, thereby demonstrating the inferiority of the French aerial equipment.