Details of Successful Raid Over Heligoland ven by Returning Fliers 'ORE details of the air battle over Heligoland on Monday! indicate the probability that British bombers shot down more' than 12 Messerschmidts.
The German claim that 36 British aircraft were brought down. is effectively disproved by the fact that the total number of British aircraft engaged was nothing like that figure.
The German planes made about 40 separate attacks on the British planes.
The leader of the British formation said: could see them waiting like Mies to attack us."
Between Heligoland and Wilhelmshaven 25 Messerschmidts were seen.
Even when the battle had begun the British planes continued on their course, determined to collect all the Information possible. They also. mot with heavy antiaireragt fire from ships and shore batteries.
Detached Plane's Batte ne British machine became detached from the others and was al tacked. The pilot dived and skim the surface of the sca with the pursuing planes on his tail, Two of the German planes, it is claimed in official reports, were shot down by the rear gvaner in the bomber. An~ other joined in the attack and machine-gun bullets wounded the fear gunner and damaged the centre gun and radio.
'The second pilot replaced the rear gunner, but ammunition was spent. A Moment totter the front gunner was wounded, and' the reserve pilot scrambled from the rear turret to the front gun, where he found plenty fof ammunition and made full use of it.
The British aircraft finally shook off the putvstiers and reached home.
Another British aircraft while mal ug the return Journey wax forced Under British pressure when atime Timit, eas. set for the Graf Spee's lay' in port.—Reutler.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.