GREAT BATTLE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 26 December 1939, Page 6

GREAT BATTLE

BIGGEST AERIAL ENCOUNTER EVER FOUGHT DETAILS OF WILHELMSHAVEN ENGAGEMENT. BRITISH BOMBERS SUPREME. (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, December 23. Details of the air battle over Wilhelmshaven on December 18 are still being sorted out from the mass of fnformation obtained as a result of study of reports of individual members of each crew, and a clear picture of the action is beginning to take form. It seems probable that the German Command was very dissatisfied with the results of operations off Heligoland on December 3, in which Wellington bombers attacked warships and hit two cruisers. On that occasion large numbers of Messerschmitts were dispatched to intercept formations, but their attacks were ineffective and they failed to’ make any impression on the close and strong formations of Wellington bombers. At least one Messerschmitts was destroyed and others were forced down. The ease with which this effective attack was carried out, without any loss to the bombing formation, probably thoroughly alarmed the German Command. Accordingly, in the hope of preventing a repetition of such attacks, they ordered up as reinforcements a number of crack squadrons, probably from the Western Front. These units had been latterly armed with Messerschmitts 110, very fast twin-engined fighters of the latest type. ENEMY FIGHTERS APPEAR As the British formations entered Heligoland Bight on December 18 they were almost immediately met by enemy fighters, though not at that time in large numbers. These fighters were easily disposed of, and only one attempted the desperate task of closing with one of the bomber sections and was immediately shot down. But as the group of formations approached its objective at Wilhelmshaven, the skies began quickly to fill with German fighters of various types, which attacked them from all directions. Fighting quickly became intense. 'as crack fighter squadrons strained every nerve to find a means to break down the closely packed sections. Then, as the bombers came over Wilhelmshaven, they were exposed to the full blast of anti-aircraft defences of the naval base. The Germans hoped in this way to force the formations to open out, so that their fighters might be able to deal with them individually, and it was only after our bombers had completed their task that the main attack developed in a supreme effort to break up the formations, which hitherto had held so strongly together. CONCENTRATED FIRE As the action developed, casualties on both sides began to mount up. The heavy concentrated fire of the formations had resulted in so many losses to the Messerschmitts that, in the last desperate attempt to break down the ordered array of bombers, sections of Messerschmitts 110 attempted most spectacular attacks at great speed on the beam of this formation, trying to sweep the formations with fire from stern to stem. But even this manoeuvre had little success, and many of their aircraft were shot down, the beam attack giving gunners an excel-, lent target at close range. The defeat of this final effort was the last phase in the action and our air gunners, excited and tired, had the satisfaction of seeing the last remaining fighters disappearing towards their own shore. In the opinion of experts, the laurels in the battle undoubtedly go to the Wellington bombers, which resisted the most desperate, and it is conceded, most courageous and dashing effort to break them up and destroy them. Flying wing-tip to wingtip, they held together in spite of antiaircraft fire and continuous attacks of the enemy’s most modern fighter aircraft. Again and again enemy fighters, daring to close, were shot down and the bombers continued on their course unchecked and unshaken. MUCH GALLANTRY SHOWN Some fared less well than others, and some were lost fighting to the end with a gallantry to which Germans themselves bear witness. Others fought off their formidable opponents single-handed, and ultimately succeded in crossing 300 miles of sea, even though their aircraft were maimed and fighting turrets were out of action. One aircraft had to leave formation and descend into the sea some I distance from the English coast through a petrol leak. All its guns were out of action and the' bottom of the front turret had been blown out and set on fire. The pilot says the gunner put out the lire with his gloved hand, his quick action saving the lives of the crew. The gunner, whose huddled position prevented him from falling into the sea when the bottom of his gun turret was blown away, expressed the greatest admiration for his sergeant pilot. “We shall never know how he managed to control his aircraft through such difficulties.” he said. The leader of the formation summe\ up the great battle. "This was in fact the biggest aerial battle ever fought." he said. "At hazard. I should think there were about 80 io 100 aircraft engaged. Wc were greatly outnumbered and outmanoeuvred, because of the higher speed of the fighters. Crews fired shot for shot and gave better than they got. Most of our crews were under fire for the first time, and they have returned confident. that on the next occasion the enemy will suffer a far heavier blow. All crews were surprised- at the performance of the German aircraft and their determination to press home the attack. We felt they were worthy opponents." New Zealand airmen took part in the battle. FIGHT ON WESTERN FRONT GERMAN PLANES ATTACK BRITISH PATROL. (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, December 22. The Air Ministry announced that on the Western Front on Friday four Messerschmitt fighters dived out of a cloud and attacked a British fighter

patrol of three aircraft. Two of the British patrol and one Messerschmitt were shot down. A second Messerschmitt was driven down, but was not seen to crash.