FROM DAWN TO DARK

Waikato Times, Volume 127, Issue 21191, 14 August 1940, Page 8

FROM DAWN TO DARK

RAIDERS BROUGHT DOWN SERIES OF AIR BATTLES (United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright) (Received August 14, 3.15 p.m.) LONDON, August 13 From dawn to dark the Germans again waged a ceaseless air war against England’s coastline, but wherever engaged by fighters or attacked by anti-aircraft fire were routed. The German attacks were again directed against shipping, harbours, and balloon barrages, including an evening raid against Southampton, but the effectiveness of the air and ground defences reduced the damage to a minimum. The British proportion of successes to losses is the best yet achieved, indicating an almost impenetrable barrier of fire, which the Germans received as in formations sometimes reaching nearly 100 they roared from the clouds in abortive attempts to attack their objectives. One of the severest afternoon’s battles occurred off a south-west town, when fighters roared up to meet raiders, who encountered a terrific anti-aircraft barrage. At least four Germans were shot down. Another battle broke out over a south-east town this evening. The terrific noise only subsided after the raiders had been driven out to sea . without dropping bombs. The fighters completely routed another party of 50 Germans, who attempted to attack another southwest area. Two Messerschmitts fell on the land and another two crashed into the sea. Four more blazing German planes crashed between two south-west coast towns. Fighters applied the coup de grace to a crippled German bomber which, when struggling to reach home after an attack by a bomber, crashed in a field and was 'quickly enveloped in flames. One Heinkel was driven off and another shot down when they attempted to attack a small motor coastal barge off the south-east coast. Casualties at Southampton An Air Ministry and Ministry of Home Security communique issued at 8.15 p.m. states: In the course of further enemy attacks this evening bombs were dropped on Southampton. Several fires broke out but were soon extinguished. There were very few casualties, though they included fatal injuries. Bombs were also dropped on the Isle of Wight and on country districts in Berkshire and Wiltshire. No casualties were reported in these areas. Several Royal Air Force aerodromes in the south-east of England were attacked, and at one a number of casualties was caused, including some fatal injuries.

Violent Anti-Aircraft Fire Violent anti-aircraft fire sent back a formation of 12 bombers which were approaching a south-east town. They later returned and three dogfights occurred. One German fell into the sea. The German News Agency to-night claimed that 69 British planes had been shot down, including 16 over Aalborg, and admitted 13 German losses. It added: “German raids have robbed Britain of most of her most important strategic air bases and seriously impaired the fighting power of an Air Force even as large as the Royal Air Force. No German bomber has so far been forced back before reaching its goal. The British fighters’ attacking spirit has noticeably decreased.” The south coast at 2 o’clock in the afternoon was raided for the 56th time. There was little damage and no casualties. A dive-bomber during a raid unsuccessfully attacked two naval vessels.. Frenchmen in Action General de Gaulle’s headquarters announce that French 75’s, after adaptation for anti-aircraft work, manned by General de Gaulle’s naval forces, shot down two bombers in a recent raid on a south coast port. French ships joined the land defences and put up heavy anti-air-craft barrages. This is the first time the French Free naval units have been in action.