“VICTORY ROLL”

Wairarapa Times-Age, 4 September 1940, Page 5

“VICTORY ROLL”

PERFORMED BY BRITISH FIGHTERS * ON WAR ANNIVERSARY. AFTER SCATTERING & PURSUING RAIDERS. (By Telegraph—Press Association —Copyright) LONDON, September 3. While a war anniversary raid on London was in progress at 11 a.m. —the time of the declaration of war 12 months ago—a terrific air battle was in progress over a south-east inland town. Reports state that it was the biggest that district has experienced. ■

A large number of bombers came ever the coast in loose formation, accompanied by a large escort of fighters. Many R.A.F. fighters met them, and within five minutes the bombers were seatiered. At the height of the battle the noise of the aircraft, their machine-guns and the ground fire was so intense that people had to shout to each other tn make themselves heard. Many planes are believed to have crashed rear the coast before the British fighters drove the enemy away to the south. The bombers could be heard jettisoning their bombs milei away from any military objective. After the raiders had been pursued back across the coast R.A.F. fighters returning were seen executing what is now a familiar sight—their “victory roll.” Raids are also reported from other parts this morning. The Air Ministry reports that there was widespread activity by German aircraft during last night, but the general damage was slight. Towns in the Midlands were the main objectives, but most of the bombs were dropped .in outlying districts. Several bombs fell on the outskirts of London, but no casualties have been reported. The number of casualties from all the night attacks, the Air Ministry states, was remarkably small. London had a short raid alarm yesterday morning. At 2 p.m. there was another warning, which lasted for 3 hours 53 minutes. No damage was reported. The sirens again sounded at 10.41 p.m., and this raid lasted for 4 hours 22 minutes. A heavy intermittent drone of enemy bombers was distinctly heard over London, but no bombs had been dropped up to then. During the daylight hours yesterday German forces made three unsuccessful mass attacks on aerodromes in Kent and the Thames Estuary area. The attacks increased’ in strength as the day went on. In the morning about 100 enemy aircraft were employed. Shortly after midday an attack was made by 250 bombers and fighter escorts, and in the third and biggest attack of the day there were 300 enemy bombers and fighters. The three main assaults were defeated with the German losses respectively nine, 17, and 16 aircraft.

OUTPUT OF PLANES INCREASING RAPIDLY IN U.S.A. WILL BE 2.000 A MONTH IN JANUARY. WASHINGTON. September 2. The National Defence Advisory Commission issued a statement that Ihe production of warplanes was at present 1000 a month, and would be 2000 in January, and 3000 late in 1941. The statement added that it was not intended to use automobile factories to produce warplanes or to take over plane factories from the owners.