DRIVEN OFF

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20110, 2 December 1939, Page 5

DRIVEN OFF

NAZI AIR ATTACKS EIGHT PLANES INVOLVED DORNIER SHOT DOWN OTHERS PUT TO FLIGHT (Ea-c. Tel. Copyright —United Press Assn.) (British Official Wireless.) Reed. noon. RUGBY, Dec. 1. In connection with the engagement between patrols of the coastal command of the Royal Air Force, reported yesterday, in which eight German Dornier bombers were encountered and one shot down, the others retiring, it is how learnt in London that the engagement, which resulted in the destruction of one Dornier, lasted for 13 minutes and that three other aircraft of the coastal command were in separate combats with the remaining seven Dorniers and in every instance the enemy was driven off. When the pilot of a northern coastal aircraft intercepted two Dorhiers flying together he selected one as his immediate objective and carried out four clive attacks. The enemy’s rear gunner was hit and was seen to be dragged from the cockpit by another member of the crew who took his place. The enemy pilot, however, made off into the clouds.

The British machine then turned to deal with the other German, who follower his companion after receiving a few well aimed bursts.

An hour later, another British aircraft of the same squadron also sighted a Dornier. It, too, disappeared in a cloud bank when a number of rounds were fired at it.

The final engagement was between a British flying boat and a Pornier. The British aircraft twice encountered the Dornier and on each occasion the Doi v nier was driven off by gunfire.