AIR FIGHTS OVER THE CHANNEL

Waikato Times, Volume 127, Issue 21187, 9 August 1940, Page 5

AIR FIGHTS OVER THE CHANNEL

ALMOST CONTINUOUS CANNON-FIRE

Attacks on shipping—many planes destroyed (United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright) (Received August 9, 11.30 a.m.) LONDON, August 8

Today’s air battles over the Channel resolved themselves into a series of terrific dog-fights above layers of clouds. The Germans approached the coast in formation and the Hurricanes raced up. The air was rent at times by almost continuous cannon-fire from the Messerschmitts and the crackle of the Hurricanes’ machine-guns. Occasionally through breaks in the clouds Hurricanes, with guns blazing, were seen diving on the tails of the enemy fighters, which flew eastwards. During the fighting planes frequently swooped above houses, but no bombs were dropped. A squadron of twelve Hurricane pilots which today shot down nine enemy planes accounted for six Junkers and one Messerschmitt at Dunkirk over two months ago. German planes earlier today dropped bombs near a convoy, but made off when our fighters appeared. Sir John Anderson in the House of Commons announced that in July the air raid casualties were 258 killed and 321 seriously injured. The killed include 178 men, 57 women and 23 children under 16 years of age; and the injured 227 men, 77 women and 17 children.

Thrilling Dog-Fight Twelve Hurricane pilots of the Royal Air Force Fighter Command lived again over the English Channel this morning the engagement fought by the same squadron more than two months ago in defence of the retreating British Expeditionary Force. Today, when defending shipping, the Hurricane squadron engaged enemy dive-bombers as well as their escorting fighters. They shot down six of the Junkers 87’s and three Messerschmitt 109’s also damaging others. Some of Germany’s new Heinkel 113 fighters were in action. The engagement quickly became a general dog-fight, with each Hurricane pilot working on his own and attacking bombers and fighters as the opportunity offered. Two of the British fighters are missing. 53 Nazi Planes Destroyed At least 53 enemy aircraft were destroyed in the course of persistent attacks on a Channel convoy today. An Admiralty and Air Ministry communique states: Enemy attacks on one of our convoys in the Channel were made in the dark hours of early morning by E-boats (motor torpedo boats). During attacks one E-boat was sunk and another damaged. Three coastal vessels in the convoy were struck by torpedoes and sank. Air attacks on this convoy began this morning and were renewed at intervals throughout the day. The result of the enemy bombing attacks are not fully known, but several ships have received considerable damage, the extent of which it is not yet possible to ascertain. A number of survivors and injured have already been landed. The attacking enemy forces consisted of a large number of divebombers, accompanied by single and twin-engine fighters. As each attack developed the enemy formations were heavily engaged by squadrons of our fighters. Severe losses were inflicted on the enemy, of which full reports are not yet available, but it is already confirmed that 53 enemy aircraft were destroyed. Sixteen of our fighter pilots are reported missing. German Version A German communique claims that 34 British planes were shot down in the Channel, 15 ships were sunk and eight damaged. Three German planes were lost. U-boats were not damaged. British Raids on Continent

The British Air Ministry communique states: Bombers yesterday carried out daylight attacks on enemy-occupied aerodromes at Cherbourg and Hamstede, in Holland. Night bombers, though again hampered by poor weather, attacked the Homburg oil plant, the Kiel dockyard, store depots at Hamm and a number of aerodromes in north-west Germany. All our aircraft returned safely. The coastal command reports the loss of one reconnaissance aircraft over the Norwegian coast yesterday. Barrage Balloons Carried Shipping convoys are now carrying barrage balloons to ward off dive-bombers. Fighters patrol above the balloons. German planes were off Southeastern England this afternoon and a number of small bombs were dropped near a small ship. The raiders fled when Royal Air Force planes appeared.