DAMAGE IN BRITAIN

Waikato Times, Volume 127, Issue 21191, 14 August 1940, Page 7

DAMAGE IN BRITAIN

CLAIMS BY GERMANY SCORES OF PLANES DESTROYED MASTERY AT DOVER ALLEGED (United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright) (Received Aug. 14, 11.10 a.m.) LONDON, Aug. 13 The German news agency, in a series of bulletins, claimed that 64 British planes were destroyed this morning. Sixteen British fighters were brought down in the air battles over Aldershot, Portsmouth and the Thames at Eastchurch. British planes avoided a fight at Dover, where German air mastery is claimed. The Germans bombed the Wallsend Harbour at mid-day, causing great fires and a terrific explosion. An air battle over the south coast of England was continuing at 4.30 p.m. with new detachments of German fighters and destroyer planes engaged. German bombers completely destroyed six hangars at Eastchurch, and set fire to barracks and put out of action heavy anti-aircraft batteries.

Fires from oil tanks were visible at a great distance. The Germans destroyed ten Spitfires on the ground and shot down 12 barrage balloons in flames. Bombs severely damaged two large armed merchantmen. Twelve British bombers this morning attacked Aalborg. Only one was able to return. The news agency increases its claims regarding British air losses on August 12 to 86 over the Channel and three over Germany. It says that German losses were 24. Plastered With Bombs A Berlin communique states: The German air units yesterday attacked harbours and aerodromes on the English south and south-east coasts, plastering Portsmouth with bombs. Large power works and the wharf at Gosport were set on fire. Bombs hit dock and quay installations, also a patrol vessel in the Channel. Violent air battles ensued, in which 43 planes were shot down. Hangars, workshops and barracks at Manston, Canterbury, Hawkings and Lympne were set on fire. A British fighter squadron at Manston was caught taking off. Four planes on the ground were destroyed, also three Hurricanes in the air. A further eight planes on the ground were destroyed at other points. German planes near Dover set fire to two barrage balloons. The enemy lost 30 planes in battles in this region. Dive-bombers attacked a stronglyguarded convoy at Southend and sank two merchantmen totalling 5500 tons, and set fire to another ship. Bombing attacks were carried out against shipping targets at Swansea and Cardiff last night, also against anti-aircraft batteries and searchlight bases near Plymouth and the Humber Estuary. British Harbours Mined British harbours continue to be mined. British planes last night bombed Northern and Western Germany. There was no great damage. Four enemy planes were shot down. The enemy yesterday lost 92 planes. Twenty-four German planes are missing.