TEAM WORK

Opotiki News, Volume II, Issue 249, 20 October 1939, Page 1

TEAM WORK

AIR FICHTERS lilims.ll PLANKS PUNISHING RAIDERS REVERE TOLL TAKEN .MAJORITY OK ENEMY . RUGBY, Oct. ]S. Some fuller details are now available regarding Monday’s enemy air raid in the south-east of Scotland. At least two of four enemy aircraft accounted for in this raid were shot down by British aircraft. Apart. Ir,om these four brought down by British lighters, anti-aircraft- and naval gunfire, several are thought to have been too crippled to complete the passage of the North Sea. No pilot claims to have brought down one ol .Monday’s raiders ■■■•inglehanded. Their defeat was a team job. Only one hit was registered by the Germans —an armour-piercing bullet, through tin* cowling ol one ol cm fighters. It did no damage and is now in the possession ol the* pilot. Most Surprised Men The most, surprised men in the actum were two British officers who happened to he flying unarmed in a civiltype two-seater over the firth of forth. Seeing a huge aircraft diving near them, they thought the pilot was being sportive and dived thepiselvcs. Tim German bomber and British aircraft then suddenly recognised each other. A burst of lire sent the two British airmen back heme in a hurry and tin) German bomber, apparently just as start led. disappeared into the eI;(UK Is. Authoritative naval circles express the opinion that the German bombing raid on the Kirtli of forth on Monday cost the enemy possibly (19 pe-ii vent, of the forces engaged. The Germans claimed that itltey .hittwo cruisers, whereas they hit one with a bomb which did not explode. ' ; The Admiralty announce that one further death has occurred as a result of the. air raid on, the Kirtli of forth. The casualties now ttuptber 10 die ad- and 40 wounded.

NEAR SCAPA FLOW KNK.MtY A IRC If A FT NO BOMBS DROPPED LONDON. Oct. 18. The Air Ministry announced to-day that enemy aiwrait, apparently on a reconnaissance flight, had booh seen approaching Sen pa Flow from the direction of kirk wall and Dimennshny Head. No bombs were drop-pod,