AIR BATTLES

Wairarapa Times-Age, 10 May 1940, Page 5

AIR BATTLES

DURING OPERATIONS IN NORWAY GALLANT WORK OF BRITISH FIGHTERS. IN FACE OF TERRIBLE HANDICAP. A battle between British Gladiators and 80 German bombers over an improvised aerodrome in Norway took place during the operations in that country, Daventry reports. Soon after the British planes had landed two aircraft appeared with Norwegian markings. It is believed they were flown by German pilots. Several German planes appeared later and one was shot down in a preliminary encounter. Between 7.30 a.m. and 8 p.m. wave after wave of German planes raided the aerodrome. Throughout the attack the British pilots had no cover and came down to the flying field, filled up with ammunition, and if they were able, took off again. In spite of appalling difficulties and continual bombing and machine-gun attacks from the air, some managed to take off 47 times to engage German, aircraft. By the end of the day only five out of 18 British planes were airworthy, but our planes had taken their toll. Six German planes were brought down for certain, and almost certainly another eight were forced down in the surrounding mountains. What was left of the British squadron carried out duty next day, but by nightfall only one plane was airworthy.