VICTORY SCORED

Taranaki Daily News, 17 September 1940, Page 7

VICTORY SCORED

By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright.

185 NAZI1 RAIDERS DOWN HEARTENING OF PUBLIC

Received 12.20 a.m. London, September 16. BRITAIN'S defenders had their record day when they shot down 185 German aircraft yesterday, seven being destroyed by anti-aircraft guns and the rest by fighters. Of the enemy losses 131 were bombers, which means that the German loss of personnel numbers several hundred. The previous record was achieved exactly a month ago, when 180 Nazi planes were destroyed on August 15. Thirty British planes were at first announced as missing yesterday, but five have since returned to their bases, making the day's losses of fighters 25, of which the pilots of 12 are safe. In the nine days since the Germans began the latest phase of the aerial blitzkrieg against Britain 455 of their planes have been destroyed, involving the loss of at least 1100 airmen. British losses during that period have been 101 planes, but only 57 pilots. Berlin admits this morning that the German High Command was surprised by the great number of the British fighters met yesterday. Large formations that crossed the coast this morning revealed that the Germans had learned by their experience yesterday, for the raiding planes were packed so tightly together that their wing-tips seemed to be touching. Deadly anti-aircraft fire broke up some of the formations, and then fighters took up the battle.

An Air Ministry and Home Security communique said: "On Sunday morning a large number of enemy aircraft crossed the coast near Dover in two waves. They ■were promptly met by strong formations 1 of fighters. An air battle ensued. ' In the course of this raid two small enemy formations succeeded in penetrating the London area, where houses were hit by bombs. Some fires broke out and damage was done to gas and water mains. From preliminary reports it is clear that the number of casualties was small. At least 50 enemy aircraft were shot down in this raid." "Afternoon raiders bombed several "points in and. around the London area and many in the south-east of England, causing small fires and damaging- houses, and industrial and municipal premises in eastern and north-eastern London," said a later official communique. "The casualties were not numerous. A heavy bomb hit one of London's oldest hospitals, completely wrecking the medical block and injuring the medical officer, but it missed the wards on either side. .The patients had been removed • to the basement earlier." Sabbath Peace Broken. Sabbath peace descended on London in the morning, which was cairn and almost unnatural after days of sirens, gunfire •and bombing. Churchgoers went to services and holidaymakers to the country as if the days of peace were here again, for London had not had an alarm for eight hours, but at noon the first alarm sounded. It lasted an hour. There were three more alarms during the afternoon, the all-clear for the fourth being given at 7.40 p.m.Buckingham Palace was again attacked with bombs during the noon raid. There were no casualties. It is oificially stated that the Queen's apartments were damaged by a bomb which failed to explode. Their Majesties were not present when the palace was attacked. The raider was shot to pieces by Spitfires a few seconds later. When the sound of dogfights was heard over London in the afternoon air-raid shelters emptied faster than they ever filled. Bombs, fire, shrapnel and machineguns were completely forgotten. Literally Torn to Pieces. 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 passively resisted the most murderous onslaught ever aimed at 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. At least 50 planes were 'engaged in a dogfight over the Channel and the London area during the second warning in the afternoon. Watchers on roofs saw opposing planes curveting thousands of feet up and fragments of two raiders, evidently blown to pieces by anti-air-craft fire, falling from a great height. Screaming bombs fell in the south- • west London area, where the raiders encountered violent anti-aircraft fire. Terrific Bursts. Terrific bursts of anti-aircraft fire heralded the German noon raid. Forty- . eight bombers and 14 Messerschmitts roared out of thick clouds flying over Thames Estuary towards London. British fighters came from all directions. Thrilling dogfights followed. Two bombers were seen hurtling to their doom. The battle progressed in a south-westerly direction, then the raiders made for home. The bombing. which lasted for some minutes, appeared frenzied. Whistling bombs and high explosives seemed to fall In one of the most exclusive residential areas. The third air raid warning since mldnight was sounded at 2.13 p.m. and lasted Just over an hour, but the raiders failed to penetrate to the central London area. London's third warning followed the appearance of strong formations of German planes flying to London from the direction of Thames estuary. Observers in a south-east district said this was the strongest force of raiders they had thus far seen. British fighters again engaged the Germans. many of whom were heard over the London area, where machinegunning was clearly audible.