STOP PRESS NEWS

Waikato Times, Volume 127, Issue 21207, 2 September 1940, Page 6

STOP PRESS NEWS

YESTERDAY'S “BAG” 25 PLANES SHOT DOWN LONDON, Sept. 1 It is officially stated that 25 enemy planes were destroyed on September 1. Fifteen of ours wore lost, but nine pilots are safe. THRILLS IN AIR RAIDERS BROUGHT DOWN LONDON Sept. 1 An Air Mnistry bulletin states: German bombers and fighters to-day continued their daily attempt to destroy aerodromes in Kent, Surrey and Essex. A squadron of Spitfires saw a plane marking a target in advance for the oncoming bombers with a ring of smoke laid over an Essex aerodrome. However the Spitfires were waiting for tho Heinkels, which arrived in a line astern with two tiers of Meßserschmittß above. The Spitfires shot down three Messerschmitts. Simultaneously a Hurricane squadron destroyed another four just across the Thames Estuary. The enemy were well harried on making for home. One Hurricane pilot chased a German fighter squadron and shot down a Messerschmitt ten miles from the French coast. Tho clay’s second raid, between 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. was the largest. Over 150 planes crossod the coast. A small bomber formation reached tho southern outskirts of London, whore anti-aircraft fire broko it up. Gunners saw a shell hit at loast throe of the twelve German bombers. The third attack, between 3 p.m. and 4 p.m., was weaker. The raiders confined themselves to Kent coast aerodromes. The single-seated Messer•chmitts dropped bombs. This was not new, but to-day the Messer•chmilts were used as dive-bombers. Spitfires sighted forty Messerschmitts ovor a Surrey aerodrome and shot down one, besides damaging three bombers which the Messerschmitts were protecting. Five Spitfire pilots caught a closeflying formation of Dorniera 15,000 feet over Maidstone, •nd the formation went homeward fninua three Dorniers. RAIDS ON ENGLAND VERY LITTLE DAMAGE LONDON, Sept. 1 A Ministry of Home Security communique states: Further enemy raids were made on South-east England on Sunday afternoon. The object of these raids may have been our aerodromes in this area, but only a very little damage was done. The first raid was in two waves, and although our fighters intercepted and broke up the enemy formations a few of his planes penetrated as far as Croydon. A second wave was turned back by our fightera and anti-aircraft defences, and did not penetrate beyond the coast. During this raid bombs were dropped on Kent and Surrey, causing some damage and a number of casualties, including some killed. Later in the afternoon a large formation of enemy aircraft again crossed the coast of Kent, but waa prevented from reaching far inland and after circling over the coast was driven out to sea. Little damage was caused in this raid and tha casualties were very small.