YOUNG AIRMAN’S FEAT

Wairarapa Times-Age, 7 September 1940, Page 5

YOUNG AIRMAN’S FEAT

IN SECOND AIR BATTLE THREE GERMAN PLANES SHOT DOWN. ONE EXPLODES IN AIR. (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, September 6. A young pilot officer, who only once before had been in a fight, brought down three enemy aircraft —two Junkers 88 bombers, and a Messerschmitt fighter in an air battle on Thursday afternoon. “’From one of the Junkers,” he said, when describing his victories, “I saw some airmen escape in rubber boats, almost as soon as the bomber struck the water. The other Junkers 88 seemed to plunge under the sea, and I did not see anybody escape. “Then I attacked the Messerschmitt 109: I saw it explode in the air. Naturally I feel pleased with today’s result, since it is only the second time that I have seen any Germans.” Nazi airmen fared badly again in Thursday’s fighting. Two attempts were once more made to destroy southeast coast aerodromes, but only a few raiders managed to penetrate far inland. The first attack started about nine, and in an hour at least 250 bombers and escort fighters were sent over in waves of 20 to 30. Eight of them were definitely destroyed by Spitfires and Hurricanes, and pobably 10 more were also shot down. The second mass attack began about half-past two, and went on for two hours. In this raid at least 24 Nazis were destroyed. ALARM IN BERLIN (Gy Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright) BERLIN, September 6. An air raid alarm lasted 80 minutes. No planes were sighted. Authorities claim that the raiders were driven of! before they reached the outskirts of the city.