DAYLIGHT FIGHTING

Wairarapa Times-Age, 20 August 1942, Page 3

DAYLIGHT FIGHTING

FOLLOWS . LANDING IN SOME STRENGTH SCALE OF EARLIER RAIDS EXCEEDED. SOME SWEEPING ENEMY CLAIMS. (By Telegraph—Press Association —Copyright) (Received This Day, 10.15 a.m.) ' LONDON, August 19. The Dieppe raid apparently was one of the most spectacular operations the j Commandos have so far carried out. The Exchange Telegraph. Agency’s military observer says fighting apparently is likely to continue throughout daylight today, under cover of the “umbrella” which the R.A.F. is maintaining at maximum strength. Large numbers of fighters and bombers, including American planes, have today flown to France in a constant procession, from dawn. The Germans tried to intercept the raiders and many dogfights occurred. A swirling air battle extended in the early morning over the south coast of England. Reuter’s military correspondent says: “This is no raid by twenty or fifty men. Our Commandos could not stay ashore in daylight unless in considerable strength.” Details of the surface craft participating in the raid so far are scanty. The only description available at present is that a sizeable party left a coast town last night in small craft. The Berlin radio announced that the British in the early morning hours, landed tanks and infantry on the French Channel coast and that artillery fire has already destroyed several British tanks. The British encountered a stiff and successful resistance, it is added, and counter-measures are progressing according to plan. Berlin also announced that the British attack on the Dieppe area is on a larger scale than previous landings and exceeds the proportions of Commando operations. The attack was launched on a broad front, east and west of Dieppe, against the town and harbour. Part of the landing force, it is stated, has already been wiped out and several transport ships sunk and a counter-attack for the final mopping up of .the landing force is going on.