RECORD BAG

Wairarapa Times-Age, 12 March 1941, Page 5

RECORD BAG

EIGHT GERMAN PLANES SHOT DOWN IN NIGHT ■' I FOUR BY ANTI-AIRCRAFT GUNFIRE AT PORTSMOUTH. FIGHTERS ALSO SUCCESSFUL. ■ Nine enemy planes have been destroyed over and around Britain during the last 24 hours, states the 8.8. C. One was shot down by a British fighter yesterday afternoon off the south coast after very slight air activity over coastal areas. No bombs were dropped. On Monday night eight German raiders were destroyed, seven by British night., fighters and anti-aircraft gun fire, and one by a destroyer. This is a record number to be brought down at night. Four were destroyed by anti-aircraft gun fire over Portsmouth. One was caught by a searchlight and an anti-aircraft gun scored a direct hit. Another blew up in midair and another crashed on the shores of the Isle of Wight. GOOD RESULTS ATTACKS AT MANY POINTS. COLOGNES INDUSTRIAL AREA BOMBED. (Received This Day, 11.0 a.m.) RUGBY, March 11. An Air Ministry communique states: “Last night, a small force of Bomber Command aircraft made a successful attack on the industrial centre of Cologne. The weather was good and results were easy to observe. Bombs were seen to burst on the approaches to the Hohenzolleren bridge, where large fires started. Many other fires were observed in the industrial centre and there were several explosions. “German naval bases in occupied territory were attacked by other squadrons of the Bomber Command. Though the weather was less favourable on the coast of France good results were observed at Boulogne. “From these operations one of our planes is missing. “Aircraft of the Coastal Command attacked docks at Cherbourg and Brest. One of our planes is missing from these operations. “Aircraft of the Fighter Command carried out offensive patrols over aerodromes in Northern France. One of our planes is missing from these patrols.” BLOWN TO PIECES BOMBER HIT BY BRITISH DESTROYER. (Received This Day, 11.10 a.m.) RUGBY, March 11. An Admiralty communique states: “A night raiding bomber was engaged and destroyed by one of his Majesty's ships. Direct hits were made on a German aircraft Junkers 88 by the destroyer H.M.S. Holderness. The bomber was blown to pieces in the air and there were no survivors. No casualties or damage were sustained by the Hulderness.”