THRILLING FIGHT

Waikato Times, Volume 128, Issue 21336, 6 February 1941, Page 8

THRILLING FIGHT

INCESSANT GUNFIRE SPECTACULAR DISPLAYS RAIDERS SHOT DOWN <L'nltcd Press As-vv—Elec. Tel. Copyright) (Received Feh. 6. 3.15 p.m.) LONDON, Feb. 5 Three German bombers are reported to have been destroyed when attacking a convoy on the southeast coast. There was a thrilling fight in hazy weather. The heavy crash of exploding bombs was incessant, and the rattle of machine-guns was heard for a considerable distance along the Kent coast. Spitfires shot down a low-flying Heinkel near Margate this morning. Three members of the crew baled out but were killed. A raider heavily laden with high explosives and incendiaries provided Lincolnshire with a spectacular display last night when it crashed after a dog-fight. The plane exploded on hitting the ground, and the occupants, believed to number five, were blown to pieces. The flaming wreckage, fed by the incendiaries, lit up the sky for miles. It is officially announced in Dublin that a German plane crashed this morning in the vicinity of Schull. Five members of the crew were killed and one seriously injured. The plane was wrecked. OVER CHANNEL ENEMY BOMBERS DOWN NORTHERN FRANCE SWEPT (OCDctai wireless) (Received Feb 6, 3.15 p.m.) RUGBY. Feb. 5 Royal Air Force aircraft have been very active over the English channel and north-west France to-day, states an Air Ministry communique. A number of fighter patrols has been maintained, resulting in destruction of one enemy bomber over the channel during the morning and a second one during the afternoon. In the early afternoon a squadron of our bombers escorted by considerable fighter strength, carried out a sweep over northern France during which an aerodrome at Stomer was successfully attacked. Two enemy aircraft were shot down in combat. Five of our fighters err. missing.

ITALIAN ADMISSION NATIVE TROOPS RETIRE IN SOUTHERN ABYSSINIA (Official Wireless) (Received Feb. 6. 3.15 p.m.) RUGBY, Feb. 5 An Italian communique reports that on the Southern Abyssinian frontier Italian native troops “ retired to fortified positions near the border, in the vicinity of Lake Stefani.” NAZIS OVER MALTA GERMAN COMMUNIQUE (United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyrlg-ht) (Received Feb. 6, 3.15 p.m.) LONDON. Feb. 5 A German communique says: Bombers attacked Malta and caused fires and explosions. The enemy last night bombed Dusselford and damaged buildings. Five persons were killed and 24 injured.” HEAVY BOMBS DUSSELDORF RAIDED ROYAL AIR FORCE ACTIVE (Official wireless) (Received Feb. 6, 3.15 p.m.) KUGBY, Feb. 5 Royal Ail* Force aircraft dropped one of the heaviest type of high explosive bombs, together with a large dumber of. incendiary bombs, when Dusseldorf was raided last night. Part of the territory visited in widespread activity covering a large area 1 both on the coast and inland, this industrial tewvi was attacked for four hours and a-half. The sky was over-clouded during the earlier part of the raid and some of the aircraft were forced to seek alternative targets. One of these bombers attacked a nearby aerodrome from about 1000 feet, dropping bombs among buildings and spraying the whole area with machine-gun fire. As the aircraft was leaving the pilot saw a military lorry approaching along a road and, swooping down to about 100 feet, the British crew attacked with the forward machineguns.

SURPRISE LANDING MOVE BY JAPANESE (L'oltftd Press Assrv.- Fier. Tei. coovrljrnt) LONDON, Feb. 4 The Canton correspondent of the Tokio newspaper Nichi Nichi says Japanese troops, under the protection of warships, effected a surprise landing at dawn south-east of Waichow. in order to cut off Hongkong from the Shaokpang Road, on which Chungking is depending heavily for supplier. The Dome! news agency says the Japanese troops have entered Tamsui, the key point of the Mirs Bay route. Japanese units are stationed along the Sino-British frontier bordering the Kowloon leased territory, and have begun moving to cut off the retreat of the Chinese. Chinese reports reaching Shanghai claim that tne. 9000 Japanese troops have beer, killed in very revere fighting in Sour!; Honan in the past five days. T: ' Chinese s.Jece?-fully reattacks all iro.Y.j.