FEWER ATTACKS

Waikato Times, Volume 127, Issue 21198, 22 August 1940, Page 8

FEWER ATTACKS

BOMBERS OVER ENGLAND “HIT AND RUN” METHODS DEFENDERS TOO GOOD

(United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright) (Received August 22, 2 p.m.) LONDON, August 21 Finding mass raids expensive, the German Air Force today went back to the “hit and run” tactics used in the early days of the war. Early this morning the first enemy bomber made an appearance over the southeast coast of England. Throughout the day the German airmen, using the clouds to dodge the patrolling Spitfires and Hurricanes, attempted to cross the coast at points from the Isle of Wight to Humber. Some dropped bombs inland. some were engaged in reaching the coast, and others escaped out to sea immediately they saw the approaching British fighters.

Top scorers of the day were Spitfire pilots of an auxiliary squadron in the Midlands, who during the morning destroyed two Dorniers and severely damaged two more.

In the south of England three Hurricane pilots, flying at 7000 feet lighted a Junkers 85 five miles away and immediately gave chase. The •Junkers pilot hurriedly unloaded his bombs and attempted to escape, but ! ended by crashing on land. Another Successful Attack Three patrolling Spitfire pilots also sighted a Junkers 85 over Oxfordshire. When he was within 400 yards of the enemy bomber the squadron leader opened fire and after two bursts the German pilot dodged into a cloud. As he came out a pilotofficer. flying the second Spitfire, delivered an attack from astern. Then the squadron-leader attacked again, but in an attempt to elude his pursuers the German pilot again sought the safety of the clouds. When he came into clear air for the second time the third Spitfire pilot was waiting and opened fire at only 50 yards’ range. The Junkers’ gunner fought back fiercely and kept firing until the squadron-leader carried out his third attack. The Junkers then crashed in flames. A third Junkers was engaged off the south coast by three Hurricanes, j After delivering an attack from astern, the German rear-gunner was silenced. The Hurricane pilots then delivered beam attacks and the Junkers caught fire. Two German airmen jumped by parachute. 13 Of Enemy Down “Our fighters to-day shot down 13 enemy bombers,” states the Air Ministry communique. “One of our fighter aircraft was lost but the pilot is safe. “Enemy activity over this country continued this evening with the same tactics as adopted during the earlier part of the daj-—aircraft singly or in small numbers, making indiscriminate attacks on various parts of the country, with some definite attempts to attack Royal Air Force aerodromes. “Two of the enemy aircraft ventured far beyond the coast. Only slight damage is reported from any of the aerodromes attacked, though some casualties were caused. “Damage was done to property in a Yorkshire town and residential district on the south coast, both of which suffered a number of casualties, some of them being fatal. “Breathless Aerobatics” Three Spitfires performed the breathless aerobatic manoeuvre now known as the “Victory Roll” after they had destroyed a Dornier over a south-east town. The stricken German narrowly missed the clock tower, crashed in a field killing two ponies, and rocketed into a wood where the plane caught fire. Mr and Mrs W. J. Jordan, New Zealand High Commissioner in England, are acting as hosts in their suburban home to a mother who left a shelter with her month-old baby after a raid to find only half of her house remaining. The Jordan’s own home was untouched, the bomb falling some distance away. Many Germans Captured A bomb from a raider over a south eastern town converted eight workmen’s houses into a huge debrisfilled crater, causing fatalities. A 14-year-old boy assisted his mother to capture a German who | had baled out from his Dornier near | a south-eastern village. Farm- | workers caught two others while home guards have caught many Germans who baled out.