350 Nazi Raiders Beaten Off by Convoy Biggest Air Battle in History London, Aug. 9. EVENTY German planes were shot down by British fighters yesterday, as German raiders intensified their raids on British shipping in the English Channel, according to reliable reports here last night, The British Press Association said German planes attacked in groups of eight intermittently for 14 hours, "This was the most determined and most continuous air battle yet fought off our coasts," the agency said, Unofficial estimates said a total of 350 German planes participated in three attacks on British convoys yesterday. They comprised 50 bombers, and probably 30 Yighters in the first al lack, about 120 in the second and 150 inthe thirl attack these estimates few thousand fect above the roof. tops. Hundreds of people left their shellers and cheered when one raider was seen to fall with black smoke pouring from its tail, It crashed in open country. said.
Tt was estimated that since June 1 including, 319 German raiders wer shot down on or near the British coasts, An estimated 393 German planes have been shot down since {he European war was declared.
Meanwhile, raiders were reported over wide areas of Britain last night. Planes were said to have flown over HWales, two towns in southwest Eng: Tand, and over the south-east and north-east coasts of England.
"An oficial report issued in a joint communique by the Air Ministry and British Officially Claim 60 Downed Shanghai, Aug. 10.
According {0 latest informa~ tion out of London last night, it was officially estimated that about 60 German planes had been brought down in Thursday's aerial battle over the English Channel. Numerous other craft were known to have been severely damaged, and many of these were thought to have come down before reaching their bases. the Admiralty said 53 German air craft were destroyed yesterday in German raids on British convoys in the English Channel.
Submarine Attack One convoy was attacked carly yesterday morning by German oats, the communique said. Three British coastal vessels were torpedoed and sunk, it said. Sixteen British Aghter planes were reported missing, in one air attack on a small British convoy bombs fell near the vessel but the raiders scattered when British fighters took off for an_ attack.
"Another German attack was carried out by 50 Junkers with a fighter escort, but British Hurricanes roared {into action in battle formation, attack ing the enemy planes in 400-miles~ an-hour power dives.
Simultaneously, it "was disclosed that" Channel convoys are now equipped with balloon barrages for protection against Stuka dive bombers.
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