TOLL CONTINUES

Wairarapa Times-Age, 8 May 1941, Page 5

TOLL CONTINUES

DESTRUCTION OF ENEMY RAIDERS FIFTY SHOT DOWN THIS MONTH OVER BRITAIN. NAZI ATTACKS ON CLYDE & MERSEY. LONDON. This Day. Nine German planes were destroyed over Britain last night, 19 in the last 36 hours and making 50 so far this month. The Clydeside was heavily bombed and damage was done also on the Merseyside. Many dogfights took place today over the Channel, six Messerschmitts and one bomber being destroyed. HAMBURG BLASTED ENEMY SHIPS SUNK OR SET ON FIRE.

Many fires were seen after an R.A.F. bombing raid on Hamburg. Several other towns in North-West Germany were also attacked. On the north bank of Kiel Canal a large industrial building was set on fire.. Attacks were made on enemy shipping. A supply ship was hit and left sinking, a patrol ship sunk, and another set on fire. Three British planes are missing. SWARMS OF RAIDERS OVER CENTRAL SCOTLAND. LONDON, May 7. Swarms of German moonlight raiders were over central Scotland last night in one of the heaviest attacks that has been experienced here. The Luftwaffe scattered its other forces over a wide area. AIR MINISTRY REPORT (Received This Day, 9.50 a.m.) LONDON. May 7. An Air Ministry communique states: Hamburg was the principal objective of R.A.F. bombers last night. Attacks on enemy shipping were continued until daylight, in addition to the attack on Hamburg, where large fires were started. “The R.A.F. pounded the docks at Le Havre and other objectives on the coasts of enemy-occupied territory. “An enemy supply ship of about 5000 tons, which was attacked off the Frisian Islands, sustained a direct hit. and is considered to be a total loss. “A Bomber Command aircraft sank a patrol vessel and set fire to another off the German and Dutch coasts. “Three of our aircraft are missing from all these operations.”

AIR BATTLES OVER LAND AND SEA. FURTHER ENEMY LOSSES. RUGEY. May 7. It was announced this morning that during enemy air activity over Britain last night nine enemy aircraft were destroyed, eight by night fighters, and one by anti-aircraft fire, bringing the total of enemy aircraft definitely accounted for in May, during night attacks on Britain, to 50. The total since January 1 is now 249. Of the fifty destoyed this month, 39 were brought down by night fighters, ten by anti-air-craft fire, and one by a balloon barrage. An Air Ministry and Ministry of Home Security communique says: “Since dawn today there has been continuous enemy activity by fighter aircraft near the south-east coast and in the Thames Estuary. Spitfires of the Fighter Command have engaged them, and there have been a number of dogfights. Four Messerschmitt 109’s were destroyed, and one Spitfire is missing. Soon after 6 o’clock, four Spitfires engaged eight Messerschmitt 109’s. and destroyed two of them. A quarter of an hour later three Spitfires of the same squadron found three Messerschmitt 109’s flying nearly at sea level and three at 1600 feet. In the ensuing fight one Messerschmitt 109 was destroyed. Later six Spitfires of another squadron encountered other Messerschmitt 109's, one of which they destroyed. NEW ZEALANDER’S FEAT TWO RAIDERS SHOT DOWN. (Received This Day 11.0 a.m.) LONDON. May 7. A New Zealander shot down two of last night's raiders. He saw the first after he had been in the air only fifteen minutes, and sent it. crashing, with two bursts of gunfire. Later he attacked a second raider, which swerved out of control, forcing him to turn sharply in order to avoid a collision. GERMAN REPORT (Received This Day. 11.10 a.m.) LONDON. May 7. A German communique claims that strong Luftwaffe formations last night attacked Clydeside. Liverpool. Newcastle, Plymouth and other harbours, in addition to aerodromes in southeast England.