MASS ATTACK

Wairarapa Times-Age, 2 September 1940, Page 5

MASS ATTACK

CLIMAX OP SATURDAY’S FIGHTING

ENEMY SQUADRONS BEATEN OFF POLES AND CANADIANS WIN DISTINCTION. (British Official Wireless.) (Received This Day, 10.35 a.m.) RUGBY. September 1. The heaviest air fighting of Saturday came in the evening, when, at about 6 p.m. the enemy hurled 300 bombers and fighters against South-East England, including the London area. Among the many fighter squadrons which helped to drive off the attacks was the Polish squadron which the day before had scored its first success against the enemy and a squadron .of the Canadian Air Force, which has been fighting in this country for some weeks. The Poles, fighting over Kent, destroyed four Messerschmitts 109 and damaged others, without loss to themselves. The fourth Messerschmitt was chased by one of the Polish pilots for ten miles out over the English Channel and was shot down into the sea. The Royal Canadian Air Force squadron, in a running fight which began over South-East London, accounted for two Messerschmitts 109 and a Dornier 215.

The London area heard the sirens at 11 a.m. today—at the very hour at which, on the first Sunday in September last, war was declared, and very shortly after which the first sirens of the war sounded.

According to agency reports this morning, a large force of German bombers, with fighter escorts, came over the Thames Estuary. Terrific anti-aircraft fire broke up the formation and ■ afterwards British fighters engaged the enemy.