MANY “DOGFIGHTS”

Wairarapa Times-Age, 13 January 1940, Page 5

MANY “DOGFIGHTS”

WITNESSED ON WESTERN FRONT TWO ENEMY PLANES SHOT DOWN BY FRENCH. LIMITED GERMAN ADMISSION. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright. PARIS, January 12. Air fighting on the Western Front is sharper and more vigorous, as cold, dry weather with excellent visibility prevails. There have been numerous dogfights. Observers in Luxemburg saw an air combat between eight planes at a great height east of the Moselle. Artillery in the same sector has been most active. A French communique reports: “There was increased artillery activity on each side and a fair amount of activity by both air forces. An enemy reconnaissance plane was brought down within our lines.”

The French official wireless commentator, discussing the morning communique, said that French planes, out on reconnaissance and escorted by fighters, met enemy aircraft and shot down two of them, a radio message reports. The German communique this morning admitted the loss of one plane, bu'it- was said to have struck the ground while pursuing French planes. On land the renewal of activity has been most noticeable east and west of the Vosges. BRITISH CASUALTIES ■ WOUNDED MEN ARRIVE IN ENGLAND. LONDON, January 12. The first British wounded have arrived in England. Most are suffering from bullet-wounds and hand-grenade splinters received while patrolling the Maginot Line. Sickness cases and troops slightly wounded are treated at the base hospitals in France. FRENCH REPORT “NOTHING NOTICEABLE." (British Official Wireless.) (Received This Day, 9.35 a.m.) RUGBY, January 12. A French official communique states: “There is nothing noticeable to mention. There has been patrol activity on either side.”