TERRIFIC AIR BATTLES

Waikato Times, Volume 127, Issue 21202, 27 August 1940, Page 5

TERRIFIC AIR BATTLES

r DOG-FIGHTS OVER BRITAIN MANY GERMAN RAIDERS SHOT DOWN BUILDINGS DEMOLISHED CHILDREN KILLED (Official Wireless) (Received August 27, 11 a.m.) RUGBY, August 26 Air raid sirens sounded in London at 3.30 this afternoon, and the “All Clear'’ signal was given three-quarters of an hour later. The alarm was given when a large number of planes were observed at a great height passing over the Thames Estuary in the direction of London. Anti-aircraft guns engaged them, and British fighters patrolled the sky. When the sirens sounded the West End was thronged with shoppers. Thousands of people filed into the shelters. Late in the afternoori two large forces of enemy bombers, flying at 20,000 feet, attempted to reach London, but were met by a strong force of our fighters over a southcast town. A terrific short battle ensued above the clouds. W Three children were killed when a delayed-action bomb exploded in the south-west of England. British fighters this afternoon intercepted a large formation of Dorniers and Messerschmitis on the south-east coast. Fierce dogfights occurred, in which eight German planes > were shot down. Royal Air Force planes earlier brought down two Messerschmitts which were crossing the south-east coast. r- ~ Bombs demolished several buildings, including some i large apartment houses. There were a few casualties. Fighters chased the raiders out to sea. Whistling bombs fell at Folkstone near the gasworks I and others on the seafront. A salvo of bombs razed six houses near the seafront. A number of casualties are feared. Bombs wrecked homes in other parts of the town, one hitting a building in which girls were working. * Ships rescued the crews of three German planes which r had been shot down off the south-east coast.

Widely-spread Raids A Ministry of Home Security comr munique states: During last night bombing attacks were made over widely-spread areas in South England and the Midlands. Bombs were also dropped in a few places in North-East England and in Scotland. In a Midland town fires were caused and damage was done to industrial property. At another town some shops were damaged. . Bombs fell in several places on the \ outskirts of the London area, causing \ small fires and damage to property. Reports from all areas show that casualties were small. It is known that during last night’s raids on a Midland town some casualties were caused, a few people being killed. Municipal, industrial and residential property was damaged. All the fires were either extinguished or under control by the morning. \ In the West Country the casualties were few and the damage not I serious. An Air Ministry communique states: Further reports show that one more enemy aircraft was destroyed I by our fighters yesterday. The total [ for the day, therefore, was 55. One of our pilots previouslyreported missing is now known to be safe. Raiders Split Up An Air Ministry and Ministry of Home Security communique, issued at 9.15 p.m., states: About noon enemy bombers, escorted by fighters, approached the south-east coast and split into several parts, some attacking a balloon barrage at Dover, others dropping bombs at Folkestone, where buildings in the centre | of the town were hit, but the numIber of casualties was small. The remainder of the force came inland for some distance, but turned back when engaged by fighters. Their formation was broken up and they were pursued out to sea. During the afternoon a large number of enemy aircraft entered the Thames Estuary and approached London, but were engaged and scattered by fighters and antiaircraft guns. Some dropped bombs in Essex, | causing a little damage and a few L casualties. b Later an attack was made in the m. Portsmouth area, but met with no F success. No casualties were reported. [ During the day a small number of | casualties, some fatal, were caused by bombs dropped in several country districts in the course of isolated enemy attacks. Bombs were also dropped on the Scilly Isles, but no casualties were caused. i It is known that at least 37 energy i aircraft were destroyed today. Fif--9 teen of our aircraft were lost, but t the pilots of six are safe.