188 SHOT DOWN

Waikato Times, Volume 128, Issue 21371, 15 March 1941, Page 10

188 SHOT DOWN

GERMAN NIGHT RAIDERS TALLY SINCE LAST JUNE SATISFACTION AT RESULTS (Official Wireless) (Received March 15, 11 a.m.) RUGBY, March 14 The 31 night raiders lost by the enemy during the first 14 nights of March include 13 which are known to have fallen to fighters, antiaircraft guns and other unspecified means last night—the largest number of raiders yet destroyed in one night. - In all 188 night raiders have been brought down since last June, when attacks after darkness began. The “record” previously stood at nine, which were destroyed on Wednesday night. It has now been exceeded by fighters alone, who last nij-'ht accounted for 11 of the 13 raiders destroyed. One was brought down by antiaircraft fire and another by unspecified means. No exaggerated claims are made in informed quarters regarding the likelihood of an early effective answer to night raiding, and it is pointed out that the weather conditions, with a Tull moon and a cloudless sky, prevailing during the last two nights, have offered night fighters an opportunity of which they took full advantage. Nevertheless, quiet and confident satisfaction is expressed at the results obtained. Few- Daylight Raids A Ministry of Home Security communique states: ery few enemy aircraft came overland during daylight today and there are no reports of

bombing from any area. An enemy bomber was intercepted by British fighters and shot down into the sea off the Welsh coast this raomm*.