BIGGEST OF WAR

Wairarapa Times-Age, 18 December 1939, Page 7

BIGGEST OF WAR

HELIGOLAND BIGHT AIR BATTLE ENEMY LOSES AT LEAST FIVE PLANES. FOUR SEEN TO CRASH IN FLAMES. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright LONDON. December 16. The batlie over Heligoland Bigin on Thursday between an R.A.F. formation and German fighters. it is now revealed. was the biggest air light of the war.

The leader of the British formation described it as “a running fight among the German islands." He saw four enemy planes crash in flames in the sea. where they burned like enormous beacons. At least five Messerschmitts were shot down. It is definitely established that only three British planes were lost, despite Germany’s more excessive claims.

One of the German planes was seen to dive vertically into the water after being engaged by the guns of several of the British aircraft. Another suddenly appeared about 50 feet above and slightly behind the leading British bomber. As it. dashed past the tail of the bomber at terrific speed the British gunner trained his gun on it and the crew saw it fall away in a mass of flames. It looked like a big torch as it fell toward the sea, somewhere near the four other victims. The enemy were not content to use only their anti-aircraft guns, but they also brought into .action every gun aboard their ships. The crews of the British aircraft, who all belonged to the bomber command. were strongly representative of the Dominions. It is revealed that tt former Australian draughtsman piloted one of the British planes. The others included four New Zealanders, one of whom was an ex-engineer, three Canadians and two South Africans.

Davenlry reports that the’ R.A.F. carried out a further reconnaisance flight over the Heligoland Bight last night and dropped some bombs. A German communique states that enemy planes dropped a number of bombs, which fell into the sea.