EVENTS ON SUNDAY

Wairarapa Times-Age, 3 September 1940, Page 5

EVENTS ON SUNDAY

BATTLES OVER THE THAMES ESTUARY ENEMY FORMATIONS BEATEN BACK. AFTER SUFFERING LOSSES. (By Telegraph—Press Association —Copyright) LONDON, September 2. After attempts during yesterday to attack aerodromes in Kent, Surrey and Essex and night raids, principally over the Bristol Channel and South Wales the Germans made further attempts in formations to cross the southeast coast of England. However, their’ operations have somewhat slackened off.

Three large attacks yesterday were repulsed, with 25 enemy planes destroyed against 15 British machines lost, nine of whose pilots are safe. Last night when a town in South Wales was bombed there were several fires and considerable damage was done to houses and shop premises, and some people were killed. In various other parts there were a few casualties and some damage. Today’s first big air battle 'was at about 8 a.m. over the Thames Estuary, and it took the usual course. First the enemy formations were broken up by heavy ground fire, and then the British fighters were up to complete the dispersal of the enemy. Another formation of 60 or 70 raiders crossed the south-east- coast with two particularly big four-engined bombers in the middle, and these again were turned back toward the sea. Some enemy planes were brought down.

There is now a considerable increase in the fighter escort the Germans are finding it necessary to provide, and handfuls of bombers are shepherded by vastly greater numbers of fighter planes.