THRILLS IN THE AIR

Waikato Times, Volume 127, Issue 21167, 17 July 1940, Page 8

THRILLS IN THE AIR

FLIGHTS IN STORMS GERMAN TARGETS HIT BOMBS AND EXPLOSIVES (United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright) (Received July 17, 3.15 p.m.) LONDON, July 16 British bombers flew through severe thunderstorms, sleet and rain in night raids on Germany. Low clouds obscured the targets and pilots circled for an hour till gaps 1 enabled them to dive down. Four and a half tons of high explosive and many incendiary bombs were dropped on oil tanks at Hanover and direct hits were scored on a large blast furnace at Hamborg. Other bombers circled, bombing twelve large buildings. Direct hits were also scored on the main railway outside Osnabruck and sidings at Hamm. Routed by Flying Boat Five Heinkels which were attacking a merchant ship off south-west England were scattered by a Sunderland flying boat .of" the Royal Australian Air Force, operating with the Coastal Command. Firing only 120 machine-gun bullets the Sunderland severely damaged one Heinkel and routed the others. The Heinkels were bombing the ship when the Sunderland captain* spotted them several miles away. He climbed into a cloud and the first the Heinkels saw was a large flyingboat diving at them. The Sunderland’s front gunner put a burst into one Heinkel, and then, as it banked and turned to port, he gave it another burst in the belly. The Heinkel went into a cloud. One of the other Heinkels approached the flying-boat from astern, but, remembering the string of four guns there, would not come nearer than 1000 yards.

Shot Down Into Sea An Air Ministry communique states: One Hurricane pilot shot down two Junkers into the English Channel this afternoon. Spitfires destroyed a Heinkel off the north-east coast of Scotland. Two members of the crew of one Junker were picked up by a tug, and a launch rescued the Heinkel crew. An Australian in the Sunderland’s rear turret did not bother to return its fire at this distance. The Heinkel remained in this position while another one attacked the Sunderland from below and on the beam. This time the Sunderland’s rear guns were brought round and opened fire. The Heinkel broke off the engagement. That was the end of the combat, though two of the Heinkels shadowed the Sunderland for a few minutes from a respectful distance.