giant air battle in which nine German planes were reported to have been shot down, Two British fighters were Jost, the Air Ministry announced fast night, British Spitfires and Murricane! clashed with a strong force of German Aghters in a series. of running doz fights which extended over several miles of countryside and cut over the English Channel, Five German fighters were shot down off the south-east const and two thers were shot down later farther The Germans crossed the English Channel under cover of heavy cloud banks. They were believed to have been carrying bombs, although the Air Ministry reported that no bombs were dropped.
British round defences heir their fire yesterday as British fighters took (o the sky. Eye-witnesses along the south-east coast reported that the sky suddenly seemed to be filled with Dattling planes darting in and out of the cloud One German plane war seen erash= ing into the sea after a brief chase a British pursuit plane, Another German plane, a mass of flames, was seen spiralling toward the earth several miles inland, 'A. third German plane crashed farther inland after its pilot had baled out in his parachule—United Press, High Praise for Men of Malta Malte, July 29.
Vice-Admiral, Sir Wilbraham Ford, has broadcast. '2 message' from. Mr. A.V. Alexander, First Lord' of the Admiralty, and Sir Dudley Pound, 34 10. all amicer. sind "men, units and dockyards at Maha, "our admiration of the Stout-hearted manner in which they have faced continued enemy attacks."
The message added: "The gallant endurance of the Maltese personnel! and citizens of Malta, ever nce the outbreak of hostilities,—commands Recruits For Australia's Home Defence Called London, July 29, sation Issued ounces the calling-tip for training, of four groups in AUsteIiN up 10 24 years Of ae.
Allowing for exemptions, the call-up is expected 10 so vide £0,000 recruits, who will form part of the Commonwealth's Hate De fence force of 250,000 men—Reuter.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.