VALIANT AIRMEN

Waikato Times, Volume 128, Issue 21363, 6 March 1941, Page 7

VALIANT AIRMEN

ATTACK ON WARSHIPS PLANES SHOT DOWN BRITISH SUCCESSES (omclal Wireless) (Received March 6, 11 a.m.) RUGBY, March 5 A Royal Air Force Middle East communique states: Royal Air Force bombers yesterday attacked enemy warships fifty miles south of Valona. A large formation of enemy fightI prs escorting the warships was en- , gaged by our fighters. | Nine of the enemy aircraft were shot down and others were damaged. I Another attack was made by our bombers on enemy warships off [ Valona. | On all fronts in Italian East Africa [ air support has been given to our i. advancing troops. Two of our | planes have not yet returned. 500th RAID NAZI ATTACK ON LONDON CARDIFF BOMBED AGAIN (United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright) (Received March 6, 11.45 a.m.) LONDON, March 5 The Cardiff area was again the i main target of the Luftwaffe last I night. London after midday had its 500th alarm, which was one of the shortest since the outbreak of the war. It is learned today that a second enemy bomber was destroyed by anti-aircraft gunfire last night. Both enemy aircraft fell into the sea, one off the coast of South Wales and the other off the Kent coast. PLANES IN COLLISION AUSTRALIAN PILOT KILLED (.United Press assl—Elec. Tel. Copyright) SYDNEY, March 5 Two Air Force training aeroplanes collided on the north coast of Dryaaba yesterday. One crashed, and the pilot, Aircraftman Eric Girdler, aged 27, was killed. The co-pilot, J. O’Brien, parachuted to safety. The other machine was damaged, but landed safely. LOSS TO FRANCE SHU’S SEIZED OR SUNK SERIOUS THREAT TO IMPORTS lUnited Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright) (Received March 6, 1.0 p.m.) VICHY, March 5 it is officially announced that France has lost 15 merchantmen in the last two months, seriously threatening imports. Eight ships were lost in February. Britain has seized six, the Germans torpedoed one, and an unidentified submarine sank another. It is emphasised that the losses are irreplaceable, because the Germans hold the principal shipyards. STRENGTH OF NAVIES BRITAIN IN THE LEAD (United Tress Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright) LONDON, March 4 The Daily Telegraph, reviewing Jane’s Fighting Ships, says it is assumed one of the Italian battleships torpedoed at Taranto is unrepairable. Three French battleships are badly j damaged, two are in British ports and one at Alexandria. The strengths of the principal navies, including ships completed this year, are as follows: Battleships.—Britain, 19; United States, 17; Japan, 10 or 12; France, 7; Italy, 5; Germany 4. Aircraft Carriers.—Britain, 8; United States, 6; Japan, 9; France, 1; Italy, nil; Germany, 2. Cruisers.—Britain, 75; United States, 37; Japan, 38; France, 18; Italy, 20; Germany, 12 (including pocket battleships). Destroyers.—Britain, 256; United States, 180; Japan, 106; France, 51; Italy, 52; Germany, 150. Submarines.—Britain, 50; United States, 114; Japan, 74; France, 69; Italy, 90. German strength in submarines is speculative.