FIGHTER COMMAND

Wairarapa Times-Age, 9 May 1941, Page 6

FIGHTER COMMAND

CONGRATULATED BY WAR CABINET ON DESTRUCTION OF ENEMY BOMBERS. GRADUAL BUT CONSTANT INCREASE. (British Official Wireless.) (Received This Day, 1.5 p.m.) RUGBY, May 8. The following telegram has been sent by the Secretary for Air (Sir A. Sinclair) to the Air Officer Commanding - in - Chief, Fighter Command:—“l am charged by the War Cabinet to convey to you and to your squadrons engaged in last night’s operations congratulations on your outstanding success.” The 24 enemy aircraft destroyed last night bring the total for the first seven night of May to 74. Twenty of last night’s total fell to fighters, three were shot down by anti-aircraft guns and one was destroyed by a balloon barrage. Many others were damaged and some almost certainly were destroyed, although no claim, is made for them. The weather was very favourable for fighter operations and this was a most important factor, but there is reason for much satisfaction in the gradual, but constant increase in casualties inicted on the enemy since the early part of the year. Thus, while January and February showed totals of fifteen each, in March 47 enemy bombers were brought down, which number was increased to ninety for April. With 74 for the first week in May. the increase appears likely to continue.

It is estimated that the Nazi Air Force lost about 100 of its trained night flyers last night. Thirteen German planes have been shot down in daylight raids on Britain today, eleven of them by fighters and two by anti-aircraft guns. One of our fighters was lost, but the pilot is safe. Early this evening an enemy bomber was shot down into the sea by British fighters.