The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-07-29

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 Significant Orders
 vichy, France. July 29-UP)- Devastating British air raids along the French coast, closure by Ger many of a coastal zone opposite Britain, suspension of railroad traf- fic between occupied and unoccu- pied French territory, and indica- tions of intense German military ac- tivity in occupied territory caused reports today that the blitzkriee against the British Isles was immi- nent.
 Germany sealed also the strate- gically important Maginot line zone opposite Switzerland, and Great military activity was reported here also.
 Disclosure of severe British raids along the coast was made in the an- nouncement that the government had sent an energetic protest te Britain against raids on Cherbourg Nantes and St. NaZaire.
 Casualties in the raids were saic to have been heavy and it was as- serted that big fires had beer started and oil depots hit by big bombs. There are important con. centrations of German air force anc naval units at all points bombed 1t was understood.
 Divided In 5 Zones
 An agreement was announced be- tween France and Germany under which occupied territory was di- vided into five zones. It was ex- plained that the division was in- tended to speed up the return oi refugees without interfering with German military preparations for the attack on Britain, at the same time, it was said, the division was intended to facilitate the harvesting of French crops and the reopenins of factories and mines.
 Effective at 5 a. m. yesterday however, the Germans suspended all railroad and highway traffic be- tween occupied territory was divided are: CD all northwestern ports be- tween the Belgian frontier and the Loire river; (2) zone along the At lantic between the Spanish frontier and the Loire; (3) the Maginot line area from the Belgian frontier te the Swiss frontier; (4 big cen. tral area extending from the coast al zones to the Maginot zone; (5) the area north of Paris, bounded by the northwestern, central and Mag mot zones and the Belgian frontier
 Air Ministry Reports
 London, July 29 - (U.P0 - The air ministry said today that British airplanes had shot down Is German planes this morning in one battle over a southeast coast harbor-des- cribed as the biggest and most vio- lent aerial conflict of the war.
 Eight enemy bombers and seven fighting planes were shot down, the ministry said. One British plane was lost.
 In addition, nine German plane: were shot down yesterday and sev. eral were reported downed during the night.
 Strong formations of British figh ing planes intercepted enemy bomb CTS which were escorted by fighters the ministry statement said. It wa estimated that about 100 Germa, planes were involved.
 Al aiN were damaged in this fierce engage. ment only one was lost," the state. ment said.
 "An enemy bomber was shot dowr over south England during las nights raids"
 The communique said:
 Enemy bombers escorted by fight CTS attacked a harbor on the south east coast this morning.
 Strong formations of R. A. E fighters intercepted the enemy"
 Reports so far received shov our fighter pilots shot down eigh enemy bombers and seven fighters Although several of our aircraf were damaged in this fierce en gagement only one was lost.
 An enemy bomber was shot dowi over South England during las nights raids"
 Wales Got It Hard
 Wales was subjected to the long est air raid of the war. For thre hours German planes sporadicall, dropped bombs in Welsh territor, until anti-aircraft gun fire and Bri tish fighter planes finally sent then heading for home. Eleven bomb struck in one district, damaging ; farm outbuilding. Most bombs fel in open country. Bombs were drop ped also on southeast and southwes England. Whistling bombs and de layed- action bombs were dropped ol 8 southwest England town.
 Enemy aircraft crossed the coas of Great Britain during the night. an air ministry home security min istry communique said. Our anti aircraft defenses were in action Bombs were dropped on several dis tricts, causing some damage t houses. The number of casualtle was slight"
 Large numbers of planes tough over the southeast coast in the earl, hours of this morning. So high tha they were barely visible, the plane fought over the sea and over land At least one German plane dive' into the sea in flames and other were believed damaged. No bomb were heard but anti-aircraft gun joined in the firing.
 It was reported that about 10 German planes. including about 5 dive bombers, started this fight b, making a violent attack along tn southeast coast. The Germans drop ped many bombs, it was reportee and lost at least one plane to anti aircraft fire in addition to the on which plunged into the sea.