BATTLE AT ODDS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 28 October 1940, Page 6

BATTLE AT ODDS

FOUGHT BY BRITISH BOMBERS OFF COAST OF NORWAY. AFTER SINKING ENEMY SUPPLY SHIP. (British Official Wireless.) (Received This Day, 11.55 a.m.) RUGBY, October 27. Beaufort aircraft of the Coastal Command sank an enemy supply ship of 2,500 tons near Sogne Fiord, Norway, on Saturday morning. Three Beauforts were on an offensive reconnaissance off the Norwegian coast when they sighted the ship and dived to make a torpedo attack. The ship was struck and blew up and disappeared within a few seconds. Immediately afterwards the Beauforts were engaged by a strong force of Messerschmitt 109 fighters. A hardfought action against heavy odds ensued. during which one.of the British pilots quickly shot down the first Messerschmitt which came up against him. Then he went to the assistance of a Beaufort which was fighting two of the enemy and drew fire away from 1 his comrade. While he was carrying on this combat, a third enemy aircraft attacked from the other side and he lost touch, but fortunately was able to gain cloud cover. From this action two British aircraft did not return to their base. When last seen, they were hotly engaging the enemy.