TOLL TAKEN

Wairarapa Times-Age, 15 September 1943, Page 4

TOLL TAKEN

OF ENEMY COASTAL SHIPPING TYPHOONS & OTHER PLANES ACTIVE. OFF FRENCH & DUTCH COASTS (British Official Wireless.) (Received This Day, 10.13 a.m.) RUGBY, September 14. Typhoons were active again today, harassing enemy shipping, when aircraft from two squadrons together sank one small vessel, left four on fire and damaged six others. In face of intense flak from shore batteries and ships, Typhoons of a New Zealand squadron attacked with cannon at sea level off Cherbourg, leaving a tug well on fire and sinking. The aircraft also set fire to a naval auxiliary vessel of about 1,000 tons and damaged two escorting E or R boats. Another Typhoon squadron, which flew ten miles up the Ooster Schelde, among the Dutch islands, set two coasters on fire, sank a harbour launch and damaged three large sea-going barges and a tug. A Spitfire also damaged a 500 ton coaster off Dunkirk with cannon and machine-gun fire. All the aircraft returned safely. Waves of bombers and fighters crossed the Straits of Dover to the Continent this evening, state reports from the coast. The planes were returning about 45 minutes later.