AIR SUPREMACY STRUGGLE

Waikato Times, Volume 127, Issue 21230, 28 September 1940, Page 9

AIR SUPREMACY STRUGGLE

DAYLIGHT RAIDS FAIL AGAIN

DEFENCES DESTROY 130 GERMAN RAIDERS DFTERMINED ATTACK ON LONDON 'T-nifpd Press Asm.— Elec. Tel. Copyright) (Received Sept. 28, 2 p.m.) LONDON, Sept. 27 The struggle for the supremacy of the air over Britain still rages and despite determined German attempts to gain mastery they were again beaten back. The Germans renewed their large-scale daylight raids today, but again paid heavily, and their tactics again failed to circumvent the Royal Air Force fighters’ wonderful defence. When a big wave of bombers tried to penetrate the capital’s defences in the morning they were pounced upon by our fighters and the ensuing battle was fought at a great altitude. The wrecks of three bombers now lie near Surrey villages and two more riddled bombers crashed at Westminster. Fresh waves of Germans kept appearing over the Channel, but the Royal Air Force’s resistance became fiercer and fiercer as the day progressed, breaking up the German formations over the coast. Some of the raiders then turned their attention to the seaside towns. Three raiders crashed near Canterbury during an air battle over Kent. During the first daylight raid on London a bomb penetrated a section of a London factory’s underground shelter, in which many were sheltering, causing many casualties, some of which were fatal. Other buildings were battered in this district. In the afternoon the defences kept the enemy planes at such a respectful height as to make them almost invisible.

There were six daylight raids today,

The Air Ministry announces that 139 enemy aircraft were shot down today. Thirty-four of our fighters are missing but the pilots of 15 are safe.

The operations in which these enemy aircraft were brought down are described in a joint cnmmuniaue by the Air Ministry and Home Security, which s; ys: Fighters intercepted several of the enemy attacks in the south of England today and inflicted severe losses, particularly in the neighbourhood of London. Two of these attacks were made on London this morning and the third early in the afternoon. A few bombs fell in central London and a number in south and south-west districts. Some damage to houses was caused and two fires were quickly brought under control. 4 Industrial Building Hit In South London an industrial | building was hit and a number of casualties resulted, some being fatal. Bombs were also dropped in several places in Kent and Essex but according to reports the damage and casualties were slight. In the morning a force of enemy aircraft crossed Dorset and reached the outskirts of Bristol. They were heavily engaged by fighters and driven off. Reports so far indicate that the damage and casualties were not heavy.

Later this afternoon enemy aircraft crossed the south-east coast in force but again they were intercepted at a number of points and only a few reached the London area.

NAZIS’ MISTAKE

SUICIDAL DAYLIGHT RAID PLANES SHOT DOWN DISASTROUS ENDING (United Pre?s Assn.—Elpc. Tel. Copyright) (Received Sept. 28, 11 a.m.) LONDON, Sept. 27 It is officially stated that 18 enemy planes were shot down in south-east England this morning. Two of our fighters were lost but one pilot is safe. At least ten raiders were shot down over London’s breakfast tables when the Germans made a suicidal attempt at a daylight raid, which began less than four hours after the conclusion of the usual night onslaught. It ended quickly and disastrously for the Germans. One plane crashed in the city and three came down in a south-west district. Altogether 34 enemy planes were destroyed yesterday. The* Berlin radio stated that German planes dropped 251 tons of bombs on London last night and a further 141 tons on Liverpool, Birkenhead and Southampton, causing very heavy damage and enormous fires. Banks to Keep Open Banks will keep open for the transaction of urgent business during air raid warnings in accordance with a decision of the committee of London clearing bankers. If it becomes necessary for the staffs to shelter during the period of danger, the services will still be provided. although there may be cases where offices cannot be opened to the public. Cheered by Watchers Watchers on the English coast cheered relays of Royal Air Force bombers as they swept over the Channel to attack German invasion bases. An avalanche of bombs lit up the sky above (he French coast. 31 Shot Down in Half-an-hour •The Air Ministry reveals that during a half-hour German attack on Thursday against Southampton, two fighter squadrons, one British and one Polish, shot down in all 31 German machines. Fifty Heinkel bombers, heavily

CANALS DAMAGED

NAVAL BASES BOMBED SUCCESS OF AIR FORCE INVASION PORTS BATTERED (Official Wireless) (Received Sept. 28, 2 pjn.) RUGBY, Sept. 27 Bomber aircraft of the Royal Air Force last night made further heavy attacks on the channel ports, including Ostend, Calais, Boulogne and Le Havre where particularly heavy damage was observed, says an Air Ministry communique. Kiel and other military objectives in north-west Germany were also successfully bombed. One of our aircraft is missing. During the raid on Kiel, a large vessel at anchor is believed to have received a direct hit. One pilot reported leaving a colossal red and orange fire on the east side of the harbour basin. A large fire wms also started on the west side and another vessel was presumed to be hit. Along the Dortmund-Ems canal bombs were seen to straddle the new aqueduct. A salvo of high explosives filled the lock gates. The biggest raid was on Le Havre harbour, which was bombed for 2\ hours. The docks were reduced to a mass of fires and wreckage.

STRANGE NOISES

DEFENCE OF LONDON NEW TYPES OF WEAPONS (United Press As»n.— Elec. Tel. Copyrlg-hn LONDON, Sept. 27 New forms of defence and attack have been used in the past few night raids on London. Citizens have been aware of new and strange noises. They have heard thunderous explosions. disintegrating into staccato cracks high in the heavens. There has also been a muffled rattling, which has been dubbed “carpet-slip-per machine-guns.” There is also a curious flat roar, something which seemingly strikes an imaginary ceiling miles up and then bumps clamorously along the top of the sky. These queer noises are actually caused by new types of weapons, or well-tried weapons which have been adapted to new uses. There are also new types of shells, the composition and effect of which are secret. New and more elaborate types of “flaming onions” have also been noticed on recent nights. German surprises include parachute bombs, described as shiny and cigarshaped, and apparently constructed of an aluminium alloy, which float down gently and explode after landing.

FREIGHTER CAPTURED

LOSS TO GERMANY (United Press Asn. —tJec. Tel. copyrffTin (Received Sent. 27. 1 p.m.) OTTAWA, Sept. 26 It is officially announced that armed merchantmen captured the German freighter Weser off Manzanilla. Mexico, last night. The Weser was suspected of refuelling U-boats.

protected by fighters, approached the Isle of Wight at a height of 16,000 ft. The Poles, flying Hurricanes, immediately attacked the bombers and chased some of them across the Channel to France.

Meanwhile nine Spitfires took on a further 30 bombers, escorted by fighters, at a height of 14,000 ft, and chased the attackers out to sea after a series of thrilline mcounUn.