DAY OF DISASTER

Wairarapa Times-Age, 10 August 1940, Page 5

DAY OF DISASTER

FOR ENEMY AIRCRAFT WRECKAGE STREWN OVER CHANNEL. SIXTEEN DEFENDING MACHINES. LOST. (By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright) LONDON, August 9. Germany launched the greatest and most determined air attack against Britain since the outbreak of the war yesterday when more than 300 dive-bombers and fighters carried out a series of attacks against Channel shipping over a period of nine hours. They attacked in groups of about 80 planes, culminating in a final raid by 150 machines between 4 p.m. and 5 p.m. It is estimated that the Germans dropped 2000 bombs, but the convoy continued to steam on. The Royal Air Force in reply wiped put 60 German planes—the biggest triumph in battle for Britain and the largest bag since Dunkirk. One squadron including New Zealanders and Australians shot down 21 planes. This is Britain’s reply to Germany’s attempt to blockade Britain by air. Germany lost about 100 skilled personnel and planes worth more than half a million sterling, the wreckage of which’ was strewn over the of the Channel. Sixteen British fighter pilots are missing. It is possible that the Navy may have saved some of the missing British pilots.