Daily Post - 13.08.1940, Page 2

2
DAILY POST
Heavy air raid on Portland.
Berlin, 12. August.
The German comminique announces
a heavy air raid on Portland, on the
south coast of England. The naval base
and dry dock were destroyed and
oil tanks set on fire. 2 transport ships
and one destroyer were bombed and a
3000 ton merchantman was sunk. Are-
oplanes attacked a convoy near the
mouth of the Thames, sank 3 trans-
ports totaling 17000 tons and damaged
3 transports and destroyers. In the en-
couter, which followed, German air-
craft seriously damaged the enemy
forces. Air raids were made on Brist-
ol. In air fights yeasterday 90 British
planes and 8 barage baloons were shot
down, besides 3 planes which were
brought down by anti aircraft guns,
whereas the Germans lost 21 planes.
A German submarine sank a medium
sized transport, which was accompani-
er by warships.
Britain no ionger able to
defend herself.
Berlin, 12. August.
The German radio contends that yester-
day’s encounters, in their air, have taught
British airmen to avoid meeting German
planes. Britain is no longer able to keep
up an unbroken line of air defence and
*the Germans are therefore getting the
upperhand in the air. About 70 German
planes took part in the air raid on Port-
land yesterday, dropped their bombs un-
hindered by english fighters and feeble
anti aircraft guns. German dive-bombers
attacked a convoy near Margate, sank 4
.ships and set fire to many. In the ensu-
ing air fight, which took place, 3 Hurri-
cane and 2 Spittfire planes were shot
down, but all the German dive-bombers
returned undamaged. In another encount-
er. German fighters shot down 23 British
planes (12 Spitfire, 7 Hurricane, 3 Defi-
ant and 1 Curtis plane).
An areodrome on the south coast of
England was completely destroyed, hang-
ers set on fire and 12 planes stationed on
the ground were wrecked. The German
squadron, its work done returned uns-
cathed to its base. The latest German re-
ports, of the air fighting which is going
on over the English Channel and else-
where along the English coast, claim that
the Germans have shot down 71 British
planes, with a loss of only 17 German air-
craft.
ITALY.
The only Italian report, to-day, ano-
unces that the troops advancing in British
Somaliland have encountered the main
British forces.
INDIA.
The leader of the Indian Congress party,
Assad, has rejected the invitation exended,
by the Viceroy of India, for the purpose
discussing the goverment of India. The
former leader of the Congress party, Pan-
dit Nehru, said: „The gulf, between the
demands of the Congress party and the
conditions tendered by Britain, is too
great to be bridgéd.“
CHINA.
Chinese newspapers claim that the
withdrawal of British troops from north-
ern China is a severe blow to British
prestige. Wang Ching Weis, „Central
China Daily News“ says that the event is
a matter for rejoicing, as it weakens Brit-
ains position in China.