BIGGEST YET

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20124, 19 December 1939, Page 6

BIGGEST YET

FIERCE AIR FIGHTS i HELIGOLAND AREA TWELVE NAZIS DOWN SEVEN BRITISH CRAFT NORTH SEA RAIDERS GERMANS DRIVEN OFF (Eire. Tel. Copyright—United Press Assn.) I Reed. Dec. 19, 1.20 p.m.) LONDON, Dec. 18. A communique issued by the Air 'Ministry states: "Royal Air -Force bomber formations searching Heligoland Bight for enemy warships encountered strong German -lighter forces. “A fierce -battle ensued in which 12 Messerschmitts were shot down and seven British bombers are unaccounted for.” A German communique claims that 44 British -bombers participated, 34 of which were shot down during a terrific battle. The German communique admits the loss of two German jilanes, the crews of which parachuted, and adds that the British unit was the largest that has ever attacked Germany. The Admiralty and Air Ministry announce that a number of attacks were made by enemy aircraft on British and neutral merchant and fishing vessels in the North Sea yesterday. During the morning bombing attacks were made oh the small motor vessel Serenity and the fishing trawlers New Choice, Benclair and Craigie Lea. The Serenity and the New Choice were sunk. The enemy also attacked the Craigie Lea with machine-gun fire. Two of the crew of 10 were wounded. German Retreat On the approach of British aircraft the enemy made off before contact could be established. A -boat containing 10 men from the New Choice was later lighted by aircraft of the Coastal Command, which directed a drifter -to the spot. The crews of both vessels were rescued. Further attacks were made during the afternoon on the liner Tuscan Star and the trawlers Dervish, Seadon, Arnold Bennett and Drornoi and the Italian vessel Valentino Coda. A number of bombs were dropped and the second wireless operator in the Tuscan Star wa.s killed by a fragn ent of a bomb which burst very close to the ship.

The enemy also attacked these ships with machine-guns without causing any casualties.

Royal Air Force aircraft engaged the enemy in the failing light, firing a, numbof rounds at them and infiicting damage before they disappeared into the clouds.