CLAIMS BY GERMANY

Waikato Times, Volume 127, Issue 21196, 20 August 1940, Page 5

CLAIMS BY GERMANY

DAMAGE IN BRITAIN VIOLENT AIR BATTLES SINKING OF MERCHANTMAN (United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright) (Received Aug. 20, 11.10 a.m.) LONDON, Aug. 19 The German news agency announced that reconnaissance planes over England carry some bombs, but their main duty is to observe yesterday’s targets, carry out minor raids, and annoy the enemy. The Berlin radio stated that a new Italian casualty list named 115 officers and rankers killed in action in North Africa from July 16 to 31. Another named 41 officers and rankers killed or died on active service on the Western front. The German High (Command states that an air squadron attacked industrial and railway works in south and middle England and aerodromes around London and in Kent and Hampshire. A merchantman was sunk and another heavily damaged during bombing attacks against shipping in the Channel. A violent air battle developed at several places, in which our fighters and chasers caused heavy losses to the enemy. The fighter squadron Horstwessel, under Commodore-Lieutenant-Com-mander Muth, brought down 51 enemy planes last night, attacked depots each of London, armament works at Norwich and Essex, harbour works at Milford Haven, Avonmouth, Bournemouth and Weymouth, besides several aerodromes in the south of England and near Liverpool. Large fires and heavy explosions were observed. Several ships in harbours were hit. The total British losses yesterday were 147 planes and 33 balloons. We lost 36 planes. British planes dropped bombs in western and southern Germany. There was no material damage. The Bremen radio states that three British planes were shot down near Ramsgate this morning.