SHOT DOWN 17

Waikato Times, Volume 127, Issue 21245, 16 October 1940, Page 7

SHOT DOWN 17

AIRMAN’S ACHIEVEMENT FOUR IN TEN MINUTES NAZI PLANES DESTROYED (Official Wireless) (Received Oct. 16, 11 a.m.) RUGBY, Oct. 15 A flight lieutenant who recently won the Bar to the Distinguished Flying Cross for destroying eight German raiders during eight days in the defence of London has achieved a new personal record by shooting down four Messerschmitts in ten minutes. He went up with his Hurricane squadron to attack a force of Messerschmitts 109 fighters, which the Germans are now using as bombers in daylight attacks on London. He was leading the Hurricanes over Kent when he saw 15 Messerschmitts 109 at 18,000 feet. Another 50 were following them at different heights. He at once led the squadron in a dive attack on 15 planes, which were flying very fast, and ten minutes of fast and furious fighting followed. In the course of it he shot down four Messerschmitts.

To round off the day the flight lieutenant went up again three hours later and shown a fifth 109, bringing his score of destroyed raiders to 17.

CLAIMS BY ENEMY GREAT DAMAGE IN LONDON NEW GERMAN TACTICS DISINTEGRATION OF LIFE (Omcia! Wireless) (Received Oct. 16, 11 a.m.) RUGBY, Oct. 15 The Rome radio describes the reports of the presence of German troops in Northern Africa as a pure invention. The same radio says that after destroying 60 per cent of London’s industrial works and practically the whole of the docks, the Luftwaffe is giving attention to Government buildings, newspapers and news agencies. The new tactics are part of the further disintegration of London life. The German news agency says that a few of the British planes which flew over Northern Germany reached Berlin and bombed houses and a hospital. Twelve people were injured. The remaining planes were driven off. Three were shot down. It is claimed that German bombers, while attacking London and other towns, machine-gunned a camp in the south of England. RETURNING HOME AMERICAN AMBASSADOR (United Press Asn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright) WASHINGTON, Oct. 14 The Secretary of State, Mr Cordel! Hull, indicated that the United States Ambassador to Great Britain, Mr J. P. Kennedy, intends to make a trip to the United States, but he did not confirm a report that Mr Kennedy is resigning the ambassadorship.