CRASHES AND FLAMES

Waikato Times, Volume 127, Issue 21208, 3 September 1940, Page 5

CRASHES AND FLAMES

DESTRUCTION OF GERMAN RAIDERS INTENSE ANTI-AIRCRAFT FIRE SUCCESSFUL ATTEMPT TO BREAK THROUGH DEFENCES FAILS COfficial Wireless) (Received Sept. 3, 11 a.m.) RUGBY, September 2 Over 100 German bombers and fighters tried to break through the Thames Estuary defences between 8 and 9 o’clock this morning. Spitfire and Hurricane pilots who were waiting for the raiders once again saw the discouraging effect of anti-aircraft fire on the enemy. A Spitfire squadron reported that a bomber formation heading up the river was turned back by the intense anti-aircraft barrage, while the fighters themselves, says an Air Ministry news bulletin, destroyed nine of the enemy during this raid. Four of our fighters are missing, but one pilot jumped to safety by parachute. Some of the raiders came in by the estuary. Others crossed south of the Kent coast. The first to attack them was a Hurricane squadron, which saw 29 Dornier bombers coming up the estuary at 15,000 feet, with MesSerschmitt 110 fighters and bombers stepped up above them to 20,000 feet. Before the Messerschmitts could arrive one of the bombers had gone to crash on the aerodrome which it had been sent to attack. The Spitfires, who watched the anti-aircraft guns driving back the bombers’ formation, went after the protecting Messerschmitt 109’s. One crashed and another burst into flames. Other Spitfires, not waiting for the enemy to arrive, went over to France from the Kent coast and destroyed three Messerschmitt 109’s. When returning one Spitfire became separated from the squadron, and, seeing 50 Dornier 17’s and Messerschmitt 110’s flying closely packed, he dived at the outside fighter bomber and saw his bullets strike home.