TERRIFIC COMBATS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 9 August 1940, Page 6

TERRIFIC COMBATS

AIR BATTLES OVER THE CHANNEL

DAY OUT FOR BRITISH PILOTS.

MORE LIES FROM GERMAN HIGH COMMAND.

(By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright) (Received This Day. 10.30 a.m.) LONDON. August 8. Today’s air battles over the Channel resolved themselves into a series of terrific dogfights above layers of clouds. The Germans approached the coast in formation and Hurricanes raced up. The air was rent at times by almost continuous cannon-fire from the Messerschmitts and the crackle of the Hurricane’s machine-guns. Occasionally, through breaks in the clouds. Hurricanes, with guns blazing, could be seen diving on the tails of enemy fighters, which flew eastwards. During the fighting, planes frequently swooped above houses, but no bombs were dropped. A squadron of 12 Hurricane pilots who today shot down nine enemy planes accounted for six Junkers and one Messerschmitt at Dunkirk, over two months ago. German planes earlier today dropped bombs near a convoy, but made off when our fighters appeared. A German communique's version claims that 34 British planes were shot down, 15 ships sunk and eight damaged .and that three German planes were lost, and that U-boats were not damaged.

RAIDERS WHO FLED BEFORE R.A.F. PURSUIT. (Received This Day. 10.50 a.m.) LONDON, August 8. German planes appeared off southeastern England this afternoon and a number of small bombs were dropped near a small ship. The raiders fled when R.A.F. planes appeared. BARRAGE BALLOONS NOW CARRIED BY SHIPPING CONVOYS. (Received This Day, 11.20 a.m.) LONDON. August 8. Shipping convoys are now carrying barrage balloons to ward off divebombers. Fighters patrol above the balloons.