DETERMINED ATTACKS

Waikato Times, Volume 127, Issue 21190, 13 August 1940, Page 5

DETERMINED ATTACKS

DRIVEN BACK TO BASE SUNDAY A DAY OF WAR SERVICES INTERRUPTED (United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright) LONDON, August 12 Thousands of people were in the churches when the full fury of the German mass attacks broke out along the coast from the south-east to the south-west. It was a gloriously fine day and observers on the British coast were able to see through glasses events on the French coast as the British fighters carried the battle back to the German base. A crescendo of anti-aircraft gunfire rose along the coast, but the church services proceeded as usual. They were punctuated by machinegun fire as the British aeroplanes came into action and coastal batteries along the entire seafront opened up, turning the peaceful Sunday into a day of war. Spectators during lulls in the raids picked up souvenirs untii the sudden blazing of the guns again sent the majority to cover. The raids were systematically planned. Reconnaissance aeroplanes dew over as dawn was breaking. .Messerschmitts followed shortly afterward and made determined attacks on the balloon barrages at i Dover, Portland and Weymouth, in order to clear the way, after which squadrons of bombers, escorted by fighters, were launched. The Royal Air Force Fighter Command, in co-operation with the other services, was fully prepared to meet the attacks. The British squadrons were well disposed, and when 100 German aeroplanes made a surprise attack on a point far from the original targets, they found two squadrons of Spitfires waiting. Abuse of Red Cross j Among the German aeroplanes | shot down yesterday was an all I white machine with Red Cross marki ings, which was operating as a reconnaissance machine.