19/8/40 - No. 1. "GERMAN TROOPS ON BEACHES" - OFFICIAL STATEMENT. It is learnt on inquiry at the Air Ministry that there is no foundation for a report issued by a Press agency that German troops were seen by the R.A.F. on Saturday night, massed on the beaches between Boulogne and Calais or. were bombed there# MINISTRY OF INFORMATION. AIR MINISTRY No.1424 19/8/40 - No. 2. AIR MINISTRY COMMUNIQUE. Further reports of yesterday’s (Sunday’s) air attacks show that the enemy lost at least 115 aircraft: and, having regard to the numbers employed, this represents the heaviest defeat he has yet suffered at the hands of our fighters and ground defences. AIR MINISTRY NO.1426 19/8/40 - No. 3. AIR MINISTRY COMMUNIQUE. It is now known that 140 enemy aircraft were destroyed, yesterday (Sunday). 19/8/40 - No.4. AIR MINISTRY BULLETIN NO.1425 Air Ministry News Service. THAMES A. A. BATTERIES ROUT 70 RAIDERS. Seventy German bombers yesterday (Sunday) evening paid our anti-aircraft gunners the biggest compliment in their power they turned back. - Forty of The enemy bombers were in four groups, forming a large rectangle. them were Heinkels and the other thirty Dorniers. Behind them flew their escorting fighters, stepped up in tiers. As they approached the outer part of the Thames Estuary they were received with a hail of shells from anti-aircraft batteries. At this moment a patrol of Spitfires was approaching the scene of the action, ready to finish off whatever of the enemy had braved the terrific anti-aircraft fire. The Spitfire pilots were just in time to see the enemy's retreat. As one of them said afterwards: "The whole formation just turned and went back." All that was left for the Spitfires were a few circling Messerschmitt; 110's and a number of lone bombers which had been forced away from the main formation. They shot down five of the Messerschmitts and one Dornier 17 for certain, and thought that three more of the Messerschmitts were unlikely to have got home to their base. They also badly damaged several more. In the same series of late afternoon actions other fighter patrols shot? down four more of the enemy. As already announced, anti-aircraft gunners had many other successes. In one area alone, three enemy aircraft a Junkers 88, a Heinkel 111 and a Messerschmitt - 109 - were shot down by light anti-aircraft fire. In all the gunners got 13, including one by a Lewis gun crew at a searchlight site. The Lewis gun crew saw a Dornier 215 flying with a Hurricane on its tail. Behind the Hurricane was a Messerschmitt which was firing in its turn on the British fighter. The Hurricane was in obvious difficulties and was seen to crash, although the pilot was safe. The searchlight crew opened fire at the Dornier at 1,000 feet with their Lewis gun. Three other searchlight posts also went into action. Finally, the Dornier crashed. Two of the crew were found to be dead and another was injured. The Major in command ofthe searchlights went over and saw for himself how the crashed enemy aircraft was plastered with Lewis gunfire. Among the first to congratulate him was the Hurricane pilot. URGENT NEWS. A.M. BULLETIN NO. 1416. ROYAL AIR FORCE AWARDS NO.100. The KING has been graciously pleased to the approve undermentioned awards in recognition of gallantry displayed, in , flying operations against the enemy:- Awarded theDist inguishedFlying Cross. Acting Flight Lieutenant Lionel Manley, GAUNCE. This flight commander has displayed excellent coolness and leadership since the return of the squadron to England. In July, 1940, his flight took part in resisting an enemy air attack on Dover, when three of our aircraft were attacked by forty Junkers 87 0 At least two of the enemy aircraft were shot down* Flight Lieutenant Gaunce has shot down three enemy aircraft since returning to England. Flying Officer Peter COLLARD (since reported missing). During operations in France, and in particular during a period in May, 1940, this officer took part in almost every patrol undertaken by the squadron and destroyed two enemy aircraft. Since his return to England, Flight Lieutenant Collard has continued his excellent work and has destroyed a further four enemy aircraft. Pilot Officer Petrus Hendrik HUGO. Pilot Officer Hugo has displayed great keenness to engage the enemy on every possible occasion During June and July, 1940, he destroyed five enemy aircraft. Awarded the Distinguished Flying Medal. 740042 Sergeant James Harry LACEY. Sergeant Lacey has taken part in numerous patrols against the enemy. He has displayed great determination and coolness in combat, and has destroyed six enemy aircraft. 745789 Sergeant Leslie Stuart MILLEN. 580536 Sergeant Richard Hayes CARR. In August, 1940, Sergeant Millen was the pilot of an aircraft detailed to attack a target at Brest. During the attack he was severely wounded by anti- aircraft fire and throughout the remainder of the flight was unable to use his left arm. Sergeant Carr, observer, then the took the pilot’s seat in order that he could apply an improvised this he also controlled the air- tourniquet. During operation craft and under these great difficulties undoubtedly saved the pilots life. Again changing places, Sergeant Millen returned to the controls and, although he collapsed several times on the way back, he succeeded in bringing his aircraft safely to a home stations Both airmen displayed great courage determination and devotion to duty of a high order. NOTES ON CAREERS. Acting Flight Lieutenant Gaunce was born at Lethbridge, Albeta, in 1915, and was educated at Strathcona High School, Edmonton, Alberta. He was granted a commission in the R.A.F. in 1936, and was promoted to Flying Officer in 1938 and to Acting Flight Lieutenant in May this year c He is now resident at Caterham, Surrey. Flying Officer Collard was born in 1915 in London and was educated at the Royal Masonic (Service) School, Bushey, Herts. He was commissioned in the Auxiliary Air Force in 1938 and promoted to his present rank in 1939. Pilot Officer Hugo was born at Victoria West, Cape Province in 1917. He was granted a commission in the R.A.F. in 1939 and was confirmed in his rank early this year 0 Sergeant Lacey was born at Wetherby, Yorks in 1917 and enlisted in the R.A.F. Volunteer Reserve in 1937. His home is at Southampton. Sergeant Millen was born at Sittingbourne, Kent in 1918. He enlisted in the R.A.F. Volunteer Reserve in 1939. He lives in London. Sergeant Carr was born in 1916 at Wallingford, Berks, and enlisted in the R A F. in 1938 0 He became a sergeant in 1939. . . His home is at Ditchling, Sussex. Press and Publicity Branch, Air Ministry, King Charles Street, Whitehall, S.W.1. 17th. August, 1940. 19/8/40 - No. 8. BRITISH PRISONERS OF WAR Following is the latest list of British prisoners of war in enemy hands, as received from a German source: Name Address Pilot-Officer"Jack Brockway Shadwell, Norfolk. Fl. Lieut. Ronald Alfred Ellin Charing, Kent. Pilot-Officer Hubert Clark 3 Brandow, Manitoba, Canada. Pilot-Officer Vincent Parker Townsville, Livingstone, N.Queensland (Rescued "by the German Salvage; Service) Australia Pilot-Officer Richard Hardy St. Martin’s Ct. , Charing Cross Road, London. Pilot-Officer Alexander Cordet Merrickville, Ontario, Canada. Pilot-Officer Biden (No address given) (Surname spelled by announcer) (Wounded and in Hospital at Aalborg, Denmark. Fl. Lieut. Syms Ditto Sgt. Gerald Harris Redditch, Worcs. Sgt. Frederick Wilkes Beachcroft Road, Plymouth. Sgt. John Brooks Chatham St. Kemp'. Town, Brighton. Sgt. John Bristowe 107 Claverdale Road, Tulse Hill,London. Sgt. Graham Thomas Eden Farm, Ambersley, Droitwich. El. Sgt. Frederick Hotchkiss Buxton, Derbyshire. Sgt. Garvin Macreary Falkirk, Scotland Sgt. Kenneth Wright Broomvalley Rd« Wellgate,Rotherham,Yorks. Sgt. Stanley Croft Alleyfield Road, Birmingham 23. Sgt. Vivian Jones Dance New Street Farm, Andover, Hants. Sgt. Oates (Wounded and in hospital at Aalborg, Denmark. Fl. Lt. Alan Roy Mulligan 2 Waterden Road, Guildford,Sussex (sic) Fl. Lt. B. Felix Allan Skelton Lodge Farm, Foxhill, By Ipswich. Sub. Lt. P. E. Paul (Saved by German rescue plane) No address given R. S. Beauclair 27 Rosamund Road, Bedford. J.C.W. Bushel Hatchland, Netherbury, Dorset. E. A. Galloway 72 River Way, Greenwich, London. 19/8/40 - No. 9 The Minister of Home Security has made an Order bringing the whole of Great Britain within the scope of the Defence Regulation 16 (A). The effect of this is to give the Regional Commissioners in England, Scotland and Wales, authority., subject to the control and direction of the Minister of Home Security, to issue any directions or orders required for the purposes of defence within their respective areas. The Commissioners will act in close co-operation with the Military authorities. The new Order is a precautionary measure. It places no fresh restrictions public freedom, but it does enable any on measures which might become urgently necessary through enemy landing by air or sea to be introduced without delay in any part of the country in which they are required. The directions which have already "been issued under previous Defence Areas Orders are not affected by this new Order. These directions relate to the control of movement, curfevs, access to beaches, etc. in specified districts. MINISTRY OF HOME SECURITY AIR MINISTRY NO. 1427. 19/8/40 - No. 10. AIR MINISTRY AND MINISTRY OF HOME SECURITY COMMUNIQUE Later information confirms that in general little damage was done in the raids on this country yesterday evening. A number of high explosive bombs, however, which fell on a town in South East England damaged some houses and caused a small number of casualties, some being fatal. During last night enemy air activity was not on a large scale hut bombs were dropped at a number of points in England and South Wales. Little damage was done and few people sustained injuries. 19/8/40 - No. 12 A.P. BULLETIN 88 The. Minister of Aircraft Production acknowledges with gratitude the following gifts towards the purchase of aircraft: Mrs. Mabel Duck, on behalf of the village of Templey Stoke, Nr. Bath .. £25.0. 0. Staff of N.A.A.F.I. Canteen 1735R ... 12.0 Staff of Maids, Ware and Manufacturing Company, London, 7L 1. . B*6 Lieut. Colonel F.F. Elwes, Moor Park, Northv/ood £lO.O. 0 Miss E.S. Scott, Southboro* Kent • £20*0.0 Mrs. Leicester Stevens and friends, Ashford, Middlesex 6.U. 6 The Foreman and five farm workers, Walberton Farm, Arundel 2.0.0 Mr. A. Fisher, window cleaner, Frimley Green s*o MINISTRY OF AIRCRAFT PRODUCTION 19.8.40 - No.13. INDUSTRIAL REGISTRATION ORDER. The Ministry of Labour and National Service announces, in accordance with the time-table already announced under the Industrial Registration Order, men whose surnames begin with the letters F to J should register at any Local Office of the Ministry Of Labour and National Service tomorrow, Tuesday, 20th August, 1940, between the hours of 9 a.m. and 8.30 p.m. MINISTRY OF LABOUR AND NATIONAL SERVICE. 19.8.40 - No.l4. WAR OFFICE PRESS NOTICE. It now transpires that during the air-raids on Sunday, a few Home Guards in the South London area were attacked by machine-gun fire from an enemy Dive-bomber. They retaliated with rifle fire and, after firing 180 rounds, caused the enemy aircraft to crash. This is the first occasion on which the Home Guards have succeeded in bringing down a German bomber. WAR OFFICE. 19/8/40 - No. 15. The following is the complete text of a letter from the Spanish Foreign Minister to H. M. Ambassador at Madrid, disassociating the Spanish Government from the views on Anglo-Spanish relations expressed in a recent article in the Falangist newspaper Arriba "My dear Ambassador and Friend, With reference to the subject of our recent conversation regarding the article which appeared in the periodical "Arriba” on August 13 and with reference to representations made to me by Your Excellency s I have much pleasure in informing Your Excellency and Your Excellency's Government of the following points. 1. Spanish Government neither has accused nor does accuse His Majesty's Government of participation in or knowledge of the attempt which was made against the Campsa deposits at Alicante and which caused one victim: further 2. Spanish Government cannot - as Your Excellency will agree is logical - pronounce on the facts or the authors of the said attempt until the trial takes place. This will be by court martial and will be held publicly as soon as judicial authorities complete their case." Signed "Juan Beigbeder” FOREIGN OFFICE NEWS DEPARTMENT. 19/8/40 - No. 16 AIR MINISTRY BULLETIN NO. 1428 AIR MINISTRY COMMUNIQUE Full reports of yesterday’s air fighting establish that in all 141 enemy aircraft were destroyed. 126 of these were shot down by our fighters, 13 by anti-aircraft fire, and 2 by searchlight crews. 22 of our fighters were lost, but the pilots of 10 of them are safe. 19/7/40. - No. 17. MORE RUBBER FOR UNITED STATES. As a result of further negotiations between representatives of the United States Government and a representative appointed for the purpose by the International Rubber Regulation Committee, an additional agreement has been reached for the purchase by the U.S. Organisations through normal trade channels of further stocks of rubber. The effect of this agreement is that as soon as the 150,000 tons of rubber provided for in the agreement of the 29th June last have been purchased, the Company formed for the purpose will American increase its reserve stock of rubber to 330,000 tons for shipment so far as may be possible before December 1941. The price F.O.B. will be not less than 17 or more than 18-g- U.S. cents per lb for standard ribbed smoked sheet packed in cases or bales at sellers option, with the usual differentials. COLONIAL OFFICE PRESS SECTION. 19.8.40 No 19 Air Ministry Bulletin No. 1430 Air Ministry News Service R.A.F. DESTROY 513 RAIDERS IN A WEEK Spitfires and Hurricanes are destroying German bombers and fighters in the ratio of nearly three of their bombers to one of their fighters. During the last seven days’ air fighting - the most intense period since the war started - fighter command pilots shot down 513 Nazi raiders. Of this total, 377 were bombers or fighter-—bombers 73 percent of the enemy losses. On Thursday, when the Germans used at least 600 bombers apart from fighters and fighter-bombers against aerodromes, harbours and shipping along a 500 mile front, British fighters destroyed 127 or one fifth of the enemy’s raiding bomber strength. Yesterday, our fighter pilots once again inflicted damage at the same rate on the enemy bombers. Out of 400 bombers sent over, 89 were definitely shot down by our fighters. Latest reports show that l41 German bombers and fighters were destroyed during yesterday’s engagement, of which 13 were brought down by anti-aircraft guns and two by Lewis gun crews at searchlight posts Twenty two British fighters were lost. Twelve of the pilots are safe. During the battle over Portsmouth yesterday afternoon three Blenheims belonging to coastal command sighted a formation of 20 Junkers 87 dive-bombers, protected by 9 Messerschmitt fighters. The Blenheim pilots at once attacked and shot down two of the Junkers, and severely damaged a third. At that moment a squadron of Spitfires came on the scene and the Blenheims flew off leaving the fighter command pilots to carry on the good work. They finished off the damaged Junker. In this air fight, a Spitfire pilot reported "I saw four of the enemy burning on the water near the Isle of Wight. My own victim - a Junkers 87 was probably among them." This pilot officer’s squadron shot down 10 dive-bombers and a Messerschmitt fighter A fellow pilot in the same squadron followed his victim until he could see the Junkers’ wheels touching the sea before its nose dipped down and the aircraft plunged beneath the water. Another Spitfire squadron destroyed six Messerschmitts off the Isle of Wight without loss to themselves. A flight Lieutenant and a sergeant pilot each shot down two. A large formation of German bombers over the Thames Estuary turned back immediately they sighted a squadron of Hurricanes, Their protecting Messerschmitts although they had the advantage of height over the British fighters, failed to attack and formed themselves into two defensive circles, the ME 109’s in one circle and the ME 110 twin-engined fighters in a second circle. But this caution failed to bring them safety. The Hurricanes shot down six of the ME 110’s and three of the Messerschmitt 109’s, the Hurricanes also chased and caught four of the bombers. Only one Hurricane was lost during this particular engagement. This same squadron during nine days fighting in France, destroyed 59 enemy aircraft. (NOTE) The figure of12 British pilots saved yesterday marks an addition of 2 to A.M. Communique 1428) 19/8/40 - No.20. YEARNING AGAINST VISITING SCENES OF AIR RAIDS, An urgent warning to the public not to visit the scenes of air raid damage, is issued by the Ministry of Home Security. Reports from raided areas indicate that serious impediment to Civil Defence Services has been caused by crowds of sight- whose presence places a great and unnecessary burden on seers, the police. It should be realised that not only do persons congregating in crowds offer a target to enemy raiders but that the work of rescue and fire fighting may be gravely delayed. Loss of life may "be caused through delay in extricating persons trapped under debris and in the removal of casualties. Previous warnings have been issued on this matter, and the Minister of Home Security hopes that no further exhortation to the public will be necessary. There should be no sightseers in raided areas either immediately following a raid or at any other time. MINISTRY OF HOME SECURITY. Press Notice : for publication morning papers Tuesday. August 20th, 1940. FINE RESPONSE TO MACHINE TOOL APPEAL. The Minister of Supply, Mr. Herbert Morrison, is gratified to announce that already nearly 3,000 firms have responded to the appeal for second-hand machine tools which he made just before the weekend. The flow of letters, which is increasing hourly, includes offers from firms, large, medium and small, situated in all parts of the country, A number of firms, including some very large ones which have not yet made a definite offer, have written to the Minister to say that they are complying with his request and replanning their shops so that they may be able to spare the largest possible number of machine tools. The Minister is writing to thank every firm and to explain the arrangements which have been made to examine the tools offered and to ensure that each is used in the way that will best serve the national need for increased arms production. One old lady wrote to the Minister offering a box of household tools if the Ministry would send for them. The Minister is writing to her to explain that on this occasion only machine tools are required. Ministry of Supply. Press Office, Adelphi, W.C.2. 19.8.1940. L. 153. 19.8.40 No. 22. The following communique was issued from G.H.Q. Cairo to-day: WESTERN DESERT Following naval shelling of dumps in area north of Capuzzo August 17th, our patrols report seeing for some hours dense column of smoke 100 feet high. KENYA On August 18th few miles from Buna party of 30 Banda fled after exchanging shots with small party of K.A.Rs. PALESTINE. SUDAN, SOMALILAND. - Nothing fresh to report. 19/8/40 - No.23. EVACUATION OF SOMALILAND. The War Office issue the following communique;- The original Allied dispositions in Somaliland were based upon a scheme of close Franco-British co-operation. Under this scheme the French forces at Jibuti were to hold the right flank, the pivot of the whole position. With the sudden secession of the French Government from participation in further hostilities a new and grave situation was created.• More than half of the available Allied force had been neutralised, and it became immediately necessary to decide upon the most effective measures for dealing with the emergency. Various alternatives were open to us. We could reinforce British Somaliland in sufficient strength to ensure its safety; but to do so would have involved employing important reserves and thereby weakening reserves in other theatres of war, more important to our immediate war effort than Somaliland* The time factor was also a serious consideration! This plan was therefore reluctantly abandoned. Another alternative was immediate and unresisting evacuation. This meant giving up British territory without fighting and thereby losing the opportunity of inflicting losses on the enemy in men and material which will be difficult for him to replace. A third course was to remain with our small force, using it to inflict the maximum losses on the enemy until withdrawal became inevitable. This third course was chosen and the evacuation of Somaliland has now been successfully completed. Our force has been withdrawn. All guns except two lost in the earlier stages of the action have been embarked. A great part of the material, stores and equipment has also been evacuated and the remainder destroyed. Our wounded have been safely brought awaiy. British, Rhodesian, Indian, African and Somali troops working in the closest co-operation with the Royal Navy and the R»A*F. have carried out the role assigned to them with conspicuous skill and bravery against greatly superior strength. Enemy losses, particularly amongst Blackshirt units, have been heavy and out of all proportion to our own. WAR OFFICE, 19/8/40. - No. 24. AIR MINISTRY NO. 1434 AIR MINISTRY COMMUNIQUE. Our bombers last night again bombed Italian aircraft factories at Milan and Turin. Other aircraft attacked the aluminium works at Bad Rheinfelden and the chemical works at Waldshut near the German-Swiss frontier. Buildings were wrecked by direct hits and left in flames. Aerodromes at Freiburg and Habsheim near Mulhouse were heavily damaged. Aircraft of the Coastal Command pressed home another successful attack on Boulogne harbour in the face of intense searchlight activity and heavy anti-aircraft fire. All our aircraft returned. Air Ministry Bulletin No, 1102 19.8.40 No. 25 Air Ministry News Service FURTHER RAIDS ON GERMANY AND ITALY For the third time within a week R.A.F. heavy bombers last night attacked the Caproni Aircraft Factory in Milan and the Fiat aircraft engine and motor works at Tur in > Other squadrons of the RAF., operating 150 miles further north severely damaged an aluminium works at Rheinfelden on the German-Swiss frontier, ten miles east of Basle. Th© factory, near the Buine, to reach which the aircraft had to fly some 600 miles, was attacked for an hour and a half. One of the first salvos of heavy bombs, which was dropped just before midnight, caused the high chimney stack to fall , Then, as, more bombs found their mark, there followed a steadily spreading fire. Next, the Hydro-Electric plant, housing turbines and generators were hit, and, about midnight, more high explosives and canisters of incendiaries caused the fires to spread rapidly. Roofs of buildings were blown off and a column of white.* smoke' rds-e. ? From twenty past twelve until nearly one o clock, another section of the raiders, descending at times fol, 500 feet, saw the wrecked plant illuminated by the eerie green flames. There was an accompaniment of explosions as fiirther heavy bombs found their targets, including a direct hit on the convertor plant. The whole area appeared by now to be and from 20 miles away the crews could see the fires as they flew homeward, electro-chemical works at Waldshut, in the same region, was also attacked and set on fire. Here some anti-aircraft defence was encountered, one of the bombers being hit by shell fire, Other aircraft bombed the aerodrome at Fricburg, north of Basle o It is considered that in this attack an ammunition dump was exploded, for observers saw a series of brilliant white flashes continuing some time After the bombs had fallen The occupied Habsheim Aerodrome at Mulhouse, in Alsace, enemy was also attacked, and hits were scored on the landing ground, and on a large building. The harrassing attacks on the Italian aircraft industry were again successful. One pilot, after identifying the Caproni works at Milan bombed it successfully from heights of between 2,000 and lj.ooo feet. Soon after this Attack an Italian Biplane fighter attempted to intercept, but the roar gunner of the British bomber fired a burst which caused the enemy to break off .he action. The fighter, obviously in distress, is believed to have been destroyed. AIR MINISTRY Air Ministry Bulletin No» J U53. 19/8/40 - NO: 26. Air Ministry News Service WAR CABINET CONGRATULATES BOMBER SQUADRONS The Secretary of State for Air has received the following message from the Prime Minister: - ’’Please convey to the Commander-in-Chief, Bomber Command, the congratulations of the War Cabinet on the success of the operations against Germany on Friday night. The War Cabinet is impressed by the skill with which both these operations and those against Italy and Germany on other recent occasions have been prepared, and by the cool and sure courage and efficiency with which the fighting crews of the b.omber squadrons have carried them out. Both the night and the day bomber squadrons are dealing hard blows against Italy and Germany and they deserve the thanks and admiration of their fellow countrymen." AIR MINISTRY 19/8/40. - No. 27. PRESS NOTICE. Harvard University and the American Red Cross will shortly be sending to Great Britain a complete medical unit to study the preventive and clinical problems associated with infectious diseases under war conditions. The unit, which will consist of a hospital and laboratory will be staffed by Harvard doctors and American Red Cross nurses. The Hospital will be organised and financed by the American Red Cross. The unit will be incorporated in the civil emergency hospital organisation of the Ministry of Health and will be directed by Professor J.E. Gordon of Harvard University. The Minister of Health has expressed his high appreciation of this generous contribution to the wartime medical and scientific equipment of this country. MINISTRY OF HEALTH. Air Ministry Bulletin No- IU3I. 19/8/40 - NO: 28 AIR MINISTRY NEWS SERVICE BROADCAST BY A V.C. FLIGHT LIEUTMzOT A twenty-seven year old R*‘A.F. bomber, pilot a member of one of the squadrons > taking part in the exploits which he described in broadcast after the a tonight, news, was this week-end awarded the Victoria Cross for most conspicuous bravery. He said:- . Our target on this raid was the old aqueduct carrying the. Dortmund Emms Canal over the river Emms north of Munster. This canal is of great importance to the industrial area of the Ruhr, There is also new at this aqueduct, but point a when that was blown up as a result previous raids the Germans had diverted of all traffic to the old one. The operation had been most carefully planned. Five aircraft detailed for the bombing, were to slip in and carry out their work. Two of the five, I am sorry to say, never got back. Timing was an all important factor. For a reason I cannot mention it was imperative that the five of us should all attack within a very short period. At three o’clock in the afternoon we wore told that we were going and at six o’clock that evening we were given the details operation. of the Aircraft from two squadrons were taking part. Having been there before, most of us knew the place pretty well. The actul briefing of the crews took about three quarters of an hour. The whole plan was carefully gone through with special maps and plans. Zero hour was timed for 2315 hours - that is to say, a quarter past eleven. We synchronised our watches and the clocks in the aircraft before starting. Everybody got away right on time. Just after we took off I saw one of the others in the air, but we soon lost sight of him. The timing had been worked out so as to allow us a ten minutes margin in case we got slightly off our course or had any trouble in getting into the target area. 1.4 y navigator did a very fine job of work and arrived at of the we we a point north target with our ten minutes in hand, so circled round there for a bit. Going out, there hadn’t been any excitement, but we were not looking for trouble anyway. There were clouds on the way over but they cleared beautifully just on the edge of the target. The moon was about half full. We were relying on the moonlight reflecting on the water to give us our di rentsor for the run up. We, being the last of the five, were due to go in at 2323• Two minutes before that time we came down to about three hundred feet. We were then still several miles north of the target. Gradually we lost height as we came along the canal, following its course all the time. The navigator was in the of the aircraft doing nose aiming. the bomb Everything was quiet until we got I was doing to point where the canal forked just before the two aqueducts. the the run up to this point, then the talcing the directing. We navigator was over must have gone off a bit to the left because he called out ’’Right”, then immediately after, when we had turned a bit to make the correction, he called out ’’Steady”. Then, suddenly, everything started at searchlights and all the anti-aircraft once - fire. It was unfortunate from point of view, of course, that the enemy,knew our pretty well the direction from which we must attack. They had disposed their which we had to pass. It seemed defences so they formed a sort of lane through that a great deal since the first raids. to me that they had strengthened these defences and flying entirely on the bomb aimers* The searchlights were blinding we were ingtrvictinns. had my head down inside the cockpit trying I to see the instruments, but the made even that difficult. Our instructions were not to rush it too glare much because of the need for extreme accuracy. Before we started the rear gunner had fire at somebody and he was shooting at the searchlights asked if he could something or as we went past. - 2 - Almost at the moment bombed I felt and the aircraft same as we a thump lurched to the right. A pom-pom shell had gone through the starboard wing. Then another shell hit the same wing between the fuselage and the engine. They were firing pretty well at point blank range. It was all over in a few seconds. The navigator called out ”O.K. Finish”. Then we turned away again. . The ground defences were still after us but the tracer was dying out a bit by this time. When we had got away and set course for the base the rear gunner reported that oil vas coining into his cockpit. Then the wireless operator reported that the flaps were drooping. I tried to raise them but found that they wouldn’t come up. What had happened was that the hydraulic system had been damaged. We discovered, too, that the under-carriage indicators were out of action. Not having landed without flaps before, I didn’t like to try it that night with a crew aboard, so we cruised around a bit doing a few local ’’cross countries for about two and a half hours. We waited till dawn and then we came in all right. AIR MINISTRY Air Ministry No . 1105 19.8.40 No. 29 AIR MINISTRY AND MINISTRY OF HOME SECURITY COMMUNIQUE Reports have been received of the destruction of three more German bombers ? bringing the total up to lljlfio yesterday of Two these were by Blenheim aircraft of the coastal command. shot down The third was destroyed by the sergeant pilot of an unarmed Anson aircraft of training command. Whether he intentionally rammed the raider will never be known,, The two aircraft collided and fell to the ground interlocked* Today's enemy activities over this country have been on a minor scale,, only intermittent attacks have been attempted by aircraft operating in small numbers, Damage by bombs was done to houses in a town in Essex and to a village in Norfolk* A dock in South Wales was attacked. But the damage was confined to an oil tank which was set on fire. Several R A F o 0 0 aerodromes were also attacked,, There were a number of casualties,, Reports so far confirm that uwo enemy bombers have been shot down by our fighters AIR MINISTRY AiMrinstry Buleting 1No456. 18.840 No. 30. ir Ministry News Service " TRAINER" PILOT DESTROYS GERMAN BOMBER A twenty-six year oIdR A F sergeant-pilot lost his life O O O ast night (Sunday) when his aircraft a twin-engined Anson used - or training purposes - collided with a German bomber of the einkel 111 type. Whether he intentionally rammed the raider will never be known ? or all five members of the Heinkel s crew were also killed., It was while night flying was in progress that a solitary aider appeared in the moon-lit sky* After dropping his bombs he German pilot saw the training machine circling the aerodrome reparatory to making a landing down the flare path. He immediately ired some rounds of bullets at the Anson which was completely unarmed Eye-witness accounts say that the two aircraft then collided, nd fell to the ground interlocked* The OoFo sergeant-pilot had only recently gained his wings nd was completing the final course of instruction at his flying raining school Air Ministry No. 1437 19.8.40 No. 31a AIRMINISTRY COMMUNIQUE Reports received up to eight p.m, show that two more enemy bombers, making four in? all, have so far been destroyed today by pilots of the Fightei -Cfcmand The engagements were in all eases with single enemy aircraft. AIR MINISTRY BULLETIN NO. 1438. 19/8/40. - No.32. Air Ministry News Service. SQUADRON'S FINE WORK All four of the enemy aircraft, so fan reported to have been destroyed in today’s actions, were flying alone when atta.cked. Three were Junkers 88 and the fourth a. Messerschmitt 110. Pour different fighter squadrons brought them down. One sergeant pilot, flying a. Hurricane, describes in his report how after two attacks a. Junkers 88 burst into flames over the Tirest country and crashed. Both the other two Junkers 88 were brought down in the Channel. The Messerschmitt/crashed into the North Sea. after being attacked by a patrol of Spitfires. A Spitfire squadron, which has destroyed or damaged more than 130 enemy aircraft since the war began, won fresh laurels during Sunday’s great enemy attack. Early in the day some of the squadron pilots chased a Messersohmitt 110 over the S.E. of England at 30,000 feet and brought it doran. Later, in the first of the two mass raids the squadron again went into action, and, after some fierce combats, returned to its base to report that it had destroyed four Messerschmitt 109's. Three other raiders were probably sent crashing into the sea and six more are believed to have been damaged by the same squadron. In the evening, the squadron scored yet further successes, destroying four Messerschmitt 110's and one Dornier 17. In addition, it probably destroyed three Messerschmitt 110’s and damaged another four of the same type together with two Heinkels 111, making a "bag" for the day of 10 enemy aircraft destroyed, 6 probably destroyed, and 12 damaged. It was this squadron which saw the main formation of enemy bombers which it was about to attack turn back under anti- aircraft fire. The only casualty which the squadron sustained during the day was slight damage by bullets to two aircraft. None of the pilots was hurt. It was a strenuous The squadron leader, who has brought day for them all. down several enemy aircraft, spoke of ”terrific .dog fights” and described how his pilots had more than once "tom up into the sky from 3,000 ft. to 30,000 ft. in search of the enemy”. ”For my part”, he added, "I know I was streaming with perspiration when we larded, after the heavy work we had done,” A New Zealand pilot, recently awarded the D.P.O. not only helped to destroy the hesserschmitt 110 in the morning but also damaged a Dornier 215 in the first mass raid, brought down a messersohmitt 110 and probably destroyed two other raiders in the evening engagement. ”1 saw one of the enemy”, he sand, ”crash and explode on the East Coast”, AIR MINISTRY.