Evening star., 1940-07-29
Hundreds of Nozi Planes Raid
British Isles, Many Shot Down;
R. A. F. Bombs Oil at Cherbourq
At Least Is Ships
FeI|ed, English Soy;
Destroyer Sunk.
BULLETIN.


airdromes in Germany, Holland,
Belgium and Northern France
and oil depots and docks in Ger
many were bombed by the Royal
Air Force in operations last night.
the Air Ministry announced to-
night. Three British planes were
reported missing.
1t was revealed tonight that
Dover, English port nearest
German n-occupied France. was
the southeastern port" against
which the Nazis launched their
mass air raids.
By the Associated Press.
LONDON, July 29.-Hundred@ OF
German planes swarmed over Brit
ain today--in a massive preview OF
the grand assault Britons believe is
yet to come-at a cost officially
placed at 16 German planes and un-
officially reported at %.
On the debit side of the ledger the
British acknowledged the sinking
Of the destroyer Wren by Nazi air
bomber. the twenty eighth lost since
che outbreak of war, while losses in
tending off today's raids were placed
at a lone plane shot down and a
number damaged.
From before dawn to late after
noon the Germans came in waves,
bombers escorted by swarming
fighters, only to run into storm of
anti-aircraft fire and Royal Air
Force defenders who accounted for
IS of the attackers in one mighty
battle over the southeast coast.
Hammering back against the Ger
mans, British pilots during the
night raided oil tanks at Cherbourg
and German base believed being
prepared for the expected invasion
of Britain. The Cherbourg tanks
we're reported fired by repeated hits.
Next of Kin Informed.
! The Admiralty without disclosing
'the loss of life aboard the Wren.
were announced the next of kin had
been informed.
The 1,120-ton Wren, World War
built vessel, was hit on an undis-
closed date while on patrol duty.
AN accompanying destroyer. the
Montrosse, shot down. two Of the
German attackers.
In a communique covering yester-
days air warfare, the German high
command placed Gerrnany's plane
losses at only two against Brit
aims IL.
Eyewitnesses to the southeast
coast air battle, in which so German
-bombers and 80 escorting fight
ers participated, said that German
machines fell like autumn leaves"
The Is planes officially reported
down brought to 3l8 the number
shot down by British defenses to
cate and 244 since the first mass
air raid. July 18.
The Air Ministry said its figures
were based on reports so far re-
eeived," indicating the offlcial total
might run higher. 1t reported
18th German plane, bomber, was
shot down over the south of Eng
land during the night.
II Airmen Captured.
With the battle of Britain grow
ing more intense in the air with each
Passing hour. it was announced off,
eially that II German airmen had
teen captured in the last four days
of savage Nazi assaults.
AS the day wore on the Germans
broadened their attacks to inland
obiectives. Scores of dogflghts
occurred in widely separated areas
among British defenders and the
Nazi invaders.
Attempted Surprise Attack.
A supplementary Air Ministry COM
munioue, vividly describing the &C
tion over the Southeast Coast, said
30 German planes we're. engaged in
fights there.
Within a half hour this morning
the German air force lost Is bomb
ers and fighters in this area" the
ministry announced.
'WlUn 81 JuIlkGIS ulPc~UOIllUclS .,
protected by so Messerschmitts, the
Nazi attempted a surprise attack
on a harbor there.
Strong formations of Spitflres
and Hurricanes of the r. A. F. fighter
command swept up into the sky to
meet the raiders. Within a few
minutes the air was filled with bat
Ting aircraft.
The British fighter pilots so
harassed the Nazi airmen that their
bombing aim was spoiled.
Before they made off for home,
eight of the Junkers bombers and
seven Messerschmitts had been shot
down into the sea. Only one Brit
Ssh fighter is missing, although
several of our aircraft were dam
aged.
LAYERS of MesSerschmitts.
Several thousand feet above the
enemy bombers, which were flying
In two waves, were layers of circling
Messerschmitts.
"Spitfires and Hurricanes attacked
both bombers and fighters.
"Spitfires of one squadron de-
stroyed four Messerschmitts and one
bomber. Their success was equaled
(see LONDON, Page A-13J