RECORD “BAG”

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24405, 17 September 1940, Page 7

RECORD “BAG”

NAZIS’ AIR LOSSES 185 IN ONE DAY R.A.F. SUPREMACY “ DOG FIGHTS ” OVER LONDON (British Official Wireless) (United Press Association) (By Electric Telegraph—Copyright) RUGBY, Sept. 15. (Received Sept. 16, at 7.30 p.m.) A total of 185 German planes were destroyed yesterday, representing the most severe defeat suffered by the Nazis in a single day The “ bag” was five better than the number brought down on that great day exactly a month ago, when the Germans lost 180 planes. Included in the total were 131 bombers, and as these machines carry from four to five men, the Germans lost several hundred airmen. It was reported earlier that 30 British fighters were missing, but five of these have since returned to their bases, making the British losses 25 planes, the pilots of 12 of which are safe. The German losses were, therefore, more than seven to one. Great air battles to-day made it the most costly day for the German Air Force since the war started., states the Air Ministry news service. During the day between 250 and 400 enemy aircraft were launched in two waves against London and the south-east coast. The great majority of the German raiders that escaped were harassed at all stages. The first wave came in the morning about 11.30, when about 200 bombers and fighters began to cross the English coast in about eight or 10 different groups. They streamed in above the cliffs and beaches between Dover and Dungeness. The second attack began about 2.15 p.m., when about 10 groups of bombers and fighters, totalling 150 to 200, crossed the same stretch of coast. Later in the afternoon two smaller attacks were made on the Portland and Southampton areas. In every case a fighter patrol was ready to meet the enemy. The two main attacks on the London area received a greater gruelling than ever before. Spitfire and Hurricane squadrons, many of the veterans in London defence, fought them over the Kent coast, Maidstone. Canterbury, and above Medway and the Thames Estuary. People Cheer Fighters When the sound of dogfights was heard over London this afternoon air raid shelters were emptied faster than thev were ever filled. Bombs, fire, shrapnel, and machine-guns were completely forgotten. Cheers went up from every street when British fighter planes were seen literally tearing the raiding planes to pieces. When again driven underground at nightfall, people who had passively resisted the most murderous onslaught ever aimed on a civilian community had something tangible to grin about. They had seen with their own eyes a sample of the R.A.F.’s power. London’s skyline is unchanged after a week in which the alarms totalled no fewer than 70 hours. A General Melee Many of the German air raiders were turned back. The survivors were fought again over London itself, squadron after squadron of fighters flying fresh into action. Finally they* were chased back again and out over the Channel, from whence they came. A squadron of Hurricanes which destroyed nine enemy planes began the fight over London, and ended up over the cliffs of Hastings. Another chased a group of bombers from the Thames at Hammersmith to Beachy Head, shooting down five on the way. A formation of Hurricanes which caught some of the enemy just as thev were coming up the Thames handled them so roughly that one pilot thought it unlikelv that any bombers would reach home, five Dorniers being definitely shot down. Another Hurricane pilot who took part in the first stage of this attack described how the Dorniers broke formation, trying to dive for cloud, pursued by Hurricanes. When the remaining Dorniers began their flight to the coast, they were no longer in formation, but merely the centre of a genera] melee, through which Spitfires and Hurricanes, flying at will, were choosing whichever target pleased them.