The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-08-12

German air losses in the intensi- fled aerial combats of the past four days at I'll planes. Since June 1e when serious German raiding of Britain started German losses were said to have been 387 planes. London and Berlin reports of the outcome of Sundays battle differed as to losses and damage but agreed that the combat was on g. huge scale.
 The British placed German losses at 60 planes and said 26 British aircraft were downed.
 Nazis Claim 90 Down
 The German high command claimed 90 British planes shot down in air battles and three by anti aircraft fire for days bag of 93. Only 21 German planes were lost. the high command claimed.
 In addition, it said aircraft fac- tories at Filton and Crewes, har- bor works at Cardiff and oil tanks at Monmouth were bombed. Both Portland important southeast naval base and nearby Weymouth were heavily bombed.
 The Germans claimed to have damaged heavily two merchant ships and one destroyer at Port land and to have damaged severe ly 8 merchant ship at Weymouth. Three ships in convoy at the mouth of the Thames were said to have been sunk and four other merchant vessels damaged.
 Invasion Rumor Denied
 Both British and neutral experts said that no evidence of large-scale German preparations to invade Britain are yet apparent.
 It was said that the Germans had spread reports through the Balkans that they had 5000 small boats ready for the projected invasion. However, no such concentrations have been observed so far as is known here.
 On the other hand it is known that the Germans are constructing a number of large airfields in con uuered territory and particularly il northern France, close to then British objectives.
 It is for this reason, in part, that both British and neutral observers anticipate more intensified German air attacks on British objectlves These attacks, it was suggested here, probably will have different objectives than the current raid: on conveys and port facilities ane Sporadic night bombings of inlanc industrial objectives.
 British authorities, it was noted have publicly warned citizens that raids by as many, as 800 planes al one time may be expected. Balkan Troubles. AS the air combat ragged over Britain a new incident flared up ir the troubled Balkan Peninsula. The Italian press launched bit. ter campaign against Greece charg- ing that an Albanian patriot Daut Hoggia, had been murdered. There was some suggestion that the attack might be the opening phase of g campaign to obtain the 2,000-square mile area of Ciamuria just south of Albania along the Adriatic.
 However, authoritative Rome sources warned against speculation on the imminence of military action It was said that a formal protest to Greece would be made after in- vestigation of the Hoggia incident
 London simultaneously reported rumors of an Italo-Albanian clash in which 100 Italian casualties were said to have occurred. The out break was said to have resulted when Italian officers attempted tc mobilize a number of Albanians Three Albanian villages were said to have been burned by the Italians in punishment for the outbreak. Rome C0mmunique. An official Rome communique re- ported that the Italian column driv- ing through British Somaliland to- ward Berbera had established con- tact with heavy British concentra- tions and it was indicated that an important engagement was immi- nent or may already have begun.
 Latest British reports from Cairo said, however, that the Italians had not yet reached British defensive positions.
 London announced the sinking by torpedo of the 7,2e0-ton transport Mohamed Ali Elkabir in the Atlan- tic with the loss of i20 men. Some TAO were rescued.
 An official London spokesman made plain that Britain would re- ject any proposals that the conti- mental blockade be lifted or modified to allow shipment of food to Ger man occupied territories. Need Of food in these regions to avert See were suffering and starvation this winter has been emphasized by fore mer PreadIent Herbert Hoover.