MOST SUCCESSFUL DAY

Waikato Times, Volume 127, Issue 21207, 2 September 1940, Page 8

MOST SUCCESSFUL DAY

BRITISH GUNNERS ACTIVE GOOD ANTI-AIRCRAFT FIRE (Official Wireless) (Received Sept. 2, 3.15 p.m.) RUGBY, Sept. 1 Saturday proved the most successful day for all gunners for nearly a fortnight. They shot down fifteen enemy planes. Three Messerschmitts which were attacking barrage balloons on the Kent coast were brought down, two by light anti-aircraft fire. The ground defences of a Royal Air Force statiun shot down a Dornier which had been attacking the station, while another Dornier fell victim to guns and crashed on the Essex coast. The remainder, which included five Dornier 17’s, were shot down during an evening attack on Southeast England and the London area, where five enemy aircraft were brought down by anti-aircraft fire in twenty minutes. Enemy Force Broken Up A communique issued at 4 45 p.m. by the Ministry of Home Security states: This morning a strong force of enemy aircraft crossed the Kent coast and flew northwards towards the Thames. The anti-aircraft defences went into action and the enemy force was intercepted by our fighters and broken up. Bombs were dropped at several places on the river and North-east Ken:. In one town several houses and shops were destroyed and some damage was done \o a laundry, a railway station, and riverside buildings. The number of casualties reported is not large. Early this afternoon a second force of enemy aircraft came inland and approached the south-east outskirts of the London area. A series of engagements took place and bombs were dropped before the enemy was driven back.”