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Aviation History
1940
1940 - 0016.PDF
JANUARY 4, 1940. WAR IN THE AIR (CONTINUED) attacked with bombs dropped by the British pilot as he dived towards it. The bombs only narrowly missed their objective. When a third Dornier came on the scene the two German aircraft flew in a tight circle to bring cross- fire from the front and rear guns to bear against their British opponent. This manoeuvre was broken by the steadiness and accuracy of our gunners, who observed a number of bursts find their mark on each Dornier. Each of the German aircraft that accepted combat was damaged and silenced, but there were no casualties to any of the British aircraft or their crews. Near the German coast one British coastal aircraft sighted two enemy destroyers and four patrol vessels, which he attacked with bombs. Later the same aircraft saw seven more German patrol ships close to their base. The pilot made dive attacks and estimates that he made at least one hit. The bomb fell on the stern of a vessel, which was seen to be disabled. Other German ships put up heavy fire against our aircraft which, however, returned un- damaged. The Secretary of State for Air has sent a personal message of greetings for Christmas and the New Year to all units of the R.A.F. and to the staff of the Air Ministry and Air Ministry establishments. He has also sent the following message to all those employed in the aircraft and allied industries: —'' 1 send my very best wishes for Christmas and the New Year to the many thousands in all parts of the country who are engaged on the great task of producing aircraft, equipment and material for the Royal Air Force. During the past year all have worked unsparingly and the result has been to achieve an output of aircraft on an unpre- cedented scale, and of a quality which has enabled the Royal Air Force to undertake its vital duties with the fullest confidence in its equipment. The effort required in the year before us will be even greater, but I should like all of you to feel that your work is appreciated and that the Royal Air Force and the Air Ministry know that the great task ahead will be tackled with the same skill, the same energy and the same determination as in the past." '' Good wishes to you all, KINGSLEY WOOD." A squadron of the Royal Australian Air Force landed in a South Coast port on Boxing Day. The men were greeted by representatives of the Air Minister, Sir Kingsley A Messerschmitt Me 109 with Daimler Benz DB 600engine forced down by French anti-aircraft fire. It will be seen that in comparison with our Spitfire andHurricane the nose entry is not good. A rifle-bore machine gun protrudes from the leading edge. Wood, and of Mr. Stanley Bruce, High Commissioner for the Commonwealth. Air Marshal Sir Frederick Bowhill also sent a message, saying how pleased and proud he was to have the first Australian squadron in the Coastal Command. The personnel of another R.A.A.F. squadron had arrived in this country before the outbreak of the war to take deliver - of Sunderlands which had been ordered for them. They are naturally staying on here to complete their train- ing, and will also serve in the Coastal Command. R.A.F. bombers made another~ reconnaissance over North-West Germany on Wednesday, December 27. One of our machines failed to return, and a German com- munique said that it had been shot down by a German fighter. A British pilot who is a prisoner of war in Germany has written to his parents describing how he came to be cap- tured. His letter has been published, and in it he said: — " I was taken prisoner whilst on a bombing raid. I went out in my machine to look for a submarine which was sup- posed to have sunk one of our merchant ships. Three machines went out, and I searched for the submarine, but failed to find it, and started back to the ship. My observer, however, suddenly shouted to me: ' There's a merchant ship on the horizon; let's look at it.' Well, it was about 20 miles away, but we went. When we were almost on top of it my chap said: ' Go low, so that I can see its name.' So down I went to sea level, and slowed down. Suddenly, just as I got alongside of the ship, I spotted the submarine alongside the far side of the ship. Up I went, but the submarine had already got half submerged, leaving me no time to get to a safe height to bomb from. So I took a chance, and bombed from a low height so as to hit. My first bomb missed by about 20ft., I hit the sea at 200 m.p.h. at a steep dive, and went straight down without stopping. I tried to get out of the cockpit, but was jammed in with a stuck roof. When I was almost out of breath I managed to break free, and came to the surface. My observer was killed at once, for I never saw him again. I looked for him, but with no luck. I then found that I was nearly a mile away from the merchant ship, in very cold water, with flying clothes on, and not a little knocked about. Some- how, I got there and clambered on to the merchant ship. On board were some of the submarine's crew, who were collecting the ship's papers when I had arrived. A few minutes later up came the submarine, and we were taken prisoners."
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