AIR FORCE ACHIEVEMENTS

Manawatu Standard, Volume LX, Issue 114, 12 April 1940, Page 7

AIR FORCE ACHIEVEMENTS

NAZI RAIDERS BEATEN OFF SCAPA FLOW DEFENDED (United Press Association.—By Electric Telegraph.—Uopyright.) Deceived April 12, 11 a.m LONDON, April 11. The Air Ministry announces that since early morning last Sunday all the operational commands of the It.A.E. have been intensively engaged in operations against the enemy. In addition to the normal security and convoy protection patrols, reconnaissance aircraft have maintained a close watch over the North Sea, the Norwegian coast and German naval bases, from which much valuable information has been made available to our naval and air forces engaged with the enemy.

SCAPA FLOW BATTLE. “On Sunday last a bombing attack was launched against a strong enemy naval force off Horus Reef. From dawn on Monday throughout the day extensive reconnaissance flights were carried out. During the evening we beat off an enemy attack against Scapa Flow. Our fighters shot down live bombers. “Throughout Tuesday our aircraft were engaged in locating and reporting the position of enemy warships in Norwegian waters. On tlje evening of Tuesday bombers attacked in force a cruiser lying oft Bergen and a subsequent reconnaissance indicated that the ship had been sunk. “Long-range fighters on Wednesday reconnoitred Norwegian aerodromes occupied by the enemy and, despite heavy anti-aircraft fire, low-flving attacks destroyed at least three aeroplanes. “On tho evening of Wednesday repeated hut abortive attacks on Scapa Flow and a convoy were successfully driven off. Our fighters shot down four bombers and the anti-aircraft guns three. This makes the total enemy ’planes destroyed over and near Britain 65 in addition to 15 which arc most unlikely ever to have returned to their base.” NAZIS’ FAILURE. Among the reports of air activity are two from Norway and a brief account of yesterday’s raid on Scapa Flow and Moray Firth, which are described as the “largest air attacks of the war.” About 60 Nazi machines took part in the Scottish raids, of which at least eight will never return. No damage was done by the raiders either to shipping or property. Over Bergen Harbour reconnaissance aircraft of the Coastal Command found the berth of a Nazi cruiser empty and its place taken by an oil patch about a mile long and although neighbouring fiords were searched no trace of the bombed vessel was seen. London air circles take the view that the Fleet Air Arm operations were completely effective. HEAVY DAMAGE. Other news from Norway concerns an It.A.F. long-range fighter which dived over a Nazi-occupied aerodrome and successfully machinegunned- tho assembled aircraft, destroying a Heinkel and damaging another alter which the pilot sprayed a Boehm and Voss aircraft with bullets. A heavy bomber being refuelled was set on fire. On the way home the fighter engaged a Junker S 8 and put the port engine and rear gun out of action. Tho British Air Ministry announces that since Monday morning the R.A.F. have, lost two flying-boats, one reeonnaisseur and three bombers. No fighters were lost.. In the same period it is confirmed that 19 German ’planes were destroyed. A Leith trawler which was bombed and machine-gunned replied with a gun, hitting the ’plane several times, j One member of the crew of the trawler was wounded.