17,000,000 Miles

Waikato Times, Volume 127, Issue 21208, 3 September 1940, Page 6

17,000,000 Miles

FLOWN BY AIR FORCE TWELVE MONTHS’ RECORD GREAT ACHIEVEMENT X United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright) (Received Sept. 3. 3.15 p.m.) LONDON. Sept. 2 On Monday, the last day of the first year of the war, the German air force made three unsuccessful mass attacks on Kent and Thames Estuary aerodromes. Fighter Command pilots shot down 38 enemy bombers and fighters, bringing their total of German raiders destroyed during the twelve months to 1771. Anti-aircraft gunners celebrated the day by adding another four to their bag, shooting down their 196 Nazi raiders. The enemy losses today were therefore 42 bombers and fighters. Nine Royal Air Force fighters are missing, but five pilots are safe. By nightfall pilots of the Fighter Command had flown more than 17,000,000 miles, or 700 times round the world during the year. Month by month the mileage figures have told the story of the work of the Fighter Command. In September last year the pilots flew a modest total of 200.000 miles and did not shoot down a single enemy aircraft. Even by January the mileage had not reached 500,000, yet in January and February, during the hardest weather experienced over forty years. Spitfires and Hurricanes and other fighters flew 1,750,000 miles.

In March the Fighter Command sent out over the North Sea patrols to protect shipping and fishing fleets, and pilots flew 1,700,000 miles. Since then their mileage has risen steadily month by month to the peak of 4,500,000 miles for August. August was also a record month for victory, when fighter pilots shot down 957 German bombers and fighters. 1948 Planes Shot Down Tt is officially stated that since the outbreak our fighters have Miot down 1752 planes and the anti-aircraft defences have shot down 196 planes.