FIERCE BATTLES

Waikato Times, Volume 127, Issue 21178, 30 July 1940, Page 5

FIERCE BATTLES

RAIDS ON BRITAIN SURPRISE ATTACK FAILS GOT WORST OF IT (Official Wireless) (Received July 30, 11 a.m.) RUGBY, July 29 An Air Ministry communique states: Enemy bombers, escorted by fighters, attacked a harbour on the south-east coast this morning. A strong formation of Royal Air Force fighters intercepted the enemy. Reports so far received show that our lighters shot down eight enemy bombers and seven fighters. Although several of our aircraft were damaged in this fierce engagement only one was lost. An enemy bomber was shot down over the south of England during last night’s raid. Attempting a surprise attack on a south-east coast harbour, thirty Junkers 87 dive-bombers, protected by fifty Messerschmitts, got the worst of it in half-an-hour’s battle. Strong forces of Spitfires and Hurricanes swept up to meet the raiders, and within a few minutes the air was filled with battling aircraft. So harassed were the Nazi airmen that their bombing aim was spoiled, and in addition fifteen of them were destroyed at the cost of one British fighter missing and several damaged. The honours went equally to the Spitfires and the Hurricanes. A Spitfire from one squadron destroying four Messerschmitts and one bomber, while Hurricanes from another squadron accounted for four bombers and one fighter. The Air Ministry announced that eight enemy bombers and seven fighters were shot down on the southeast coast. One of our planes was lost. Bombs fell on a north-east town, damaged a school, and killed a woman. Several houses were destroyed. Bombs fell in three places in the north-west of England.