AERIAL COMBATS

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20115, 8 December 1939, Page 7

AERIAL COMBATS

NAZIS DRIVEN OFF I SOME BELIEVED HIT I DAMAGE TO DORMER 10 PLANES ENGAGED CHASE IN THE CLOUDS (Eler. Tel. Copyright—United Press Assn..i (British Official Wireless.) Reed. Noon. RUGBY, Dec. 7. Enemy aircraft over the North Sea yesterday attempted to intercept isolated patrols of the coastal command of the Royal Air Force. In two encounters, it is reported that the enemy machines, giant Dornier flying boats, were beaten off badly damaged. One coastal command aircraft was far out from its base north of the Heligoland Bight when it sighted a Dornier prowling for prey, air or seaborne. To secure position for himself for an effective attack the British pilot cleverly stall-turned, that is, suddenly put his aircraft into an almost vertical climb and, as it lost speed to stalling, turned and dived 1 down on the beam of the enemy, his machine-guns plastering the Dornier with lead at each dive. After a third attack, the British pilot climbed to 2000 ft and carried ■ out another attack on the enemy’s 1 tail. One long burst was seen to enter around the engines and the main ' plane and the crippled German aircraft sought refuge in the mist an»d 1 low cloud to limp towards its base. Encounter 200 Miles From Land The second encounter took place I 200 miles from land when, a coastal command aircraft sighted a Dornier 1 and for half an hour pursued it in and out of the clouds, making six attacks and pouring round after round of ammunition into its ad- ' versary. With its rear gun out of . action and oil fuel pouring out from both sides, the Dornier made off swaying into the clouds. The pilot considers that it Is verv doubtful whether the enemy would reach its base. It is officially announced that eight Na2i planes were involved in a raid over the Firth of Forth. The raid was driven off and one enemy machine appeared to be hit. No bombs were dropped. The fighters, after driving off the eight Nazi planes, encountered two others off the north east coast. The enemy turned back and were pursued to sea. One was seen to have been hit. Heavy gunfire was heard along the coast.