Tuesday, January 14, 2014

January 12, 1940; FIGHTING RENEWED OFF RITISH COAST:

THIS WAS REPORTED TODAY, JANUARY 12, 1940:


Germans Dodge British

Defenders From Scotland
To The Thames Estuary

Planes Attacking Merchantman
Driven Off: No Attacks On Land

LO N D O N , Jan. 11.—Renewal of widespread Nazi flights over the British coast, southeast Scotland to Thames estuary, met determined resistance from British fighters and anti-aircraft batteries to-day. No bombs were dropped and no alarms sounded. The Air Ministry communique stated that enemy planes appeared off the Firth of Forth and the estuaries of the Humberand of the Thames were attacked by fighters and anti-aircraft guns.

The Evening News declared that the last 24 hours were the busiest the Royal Air Force faced since the war began and "they had to fight their fiercest battles."

RAIDERS DRIVEN FROM M E R C H A N T SHIP
The Air Ministry stated that Nazi planes, attempting to bomb a merchant vessel off the Norfolk coast was intercepted and driven off by fighters.

The communique reported "Considerable air activity off the east coast of England and Scotland this morning," listing raids on Newcastle on the Tyne, the Firth of Forth, and the H umber and Thames estuaries.

Anti-aircraft fighters fought off a lone plane off the northeast coast early this morning. It was the first enemy air raid of the war over Tynesside, important shipbuilding and shipping centre.

Anti-aircraft shrapnel fell over a wide area, endangering spectators. The windows of a 'bus were shattered. One report said three raiders and six British fighters,were involved.

Shrapnel fell in the streets of South Shields during ten minutes of firing,'' The plane apparently circled back over the town and again was fired on.

 

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