Falfurrias Facts (Falfurrias, Tex.), Vol. 36, No. 17, Ed. 1 Friday, September 25, 1942 Page: 4 of 6
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FRIDAY. SEPTEMBER 2S, 1942
PACE FOUR
4*gglP
On a cloudy Sunday morning, Sept. 15, 1940, the Germans sent across the
Channel the greatest enemy force to attack England since the Armada. In
two great waves, 250 Nasi planes, bombers, dive bombers and fighters droned
over the cliffs and beaches. Up to meet them went R.A.F. Spitfires and
Hurricanes. All morning long in a cube of air 80 miles long, 40 broad and 6
miles high over southern England, the pilots of the R.A.F., usually out*
numbered, dove and twisted and climbed, always attacking. Countryside and
streets were littered with burning aircraft. After 3Vs hours the Germans
turned tail, having lost 43% of their planes.
In the afternoon came another armada of 250 planes. Again the weary
pilots “scrambled’' and tbeir squadrons bored upwards. Open-mouthed
watchers saw the lacy vapor trails in the sky that mapped the progress of
a hundred dogfights. Again the Nasis were beaten off. Sept. 15 was the first
great Allied victory. It was the turning point of the Battle of Britain, the winning
of which saved from invasion the only United Nations stronghold in Europe.
i^^LNe**** <
Allied Victor
Czech pilots of this squadron (1000 of them are now in
Britain) accounted for 8 German planes in one engage-
ment. They were led by British flight officers (below).
MEN WHO LICKED THE LUFTWAFFE
The victory of September 15th was truly an Allied victory, for fighting
with the R.A.F. were squadrons of pi'ets from many of the United Nations.
They took an honored place among t ie “so few” to whom not only Great
Britain but the world owes so muen. Especially notable were the pilots of
Czech ar.d Polish squadrons, most of them experienced fighting pilots who
escaped to Great Britain after the invasion of their own countries.
Not ell the credit for the victory, however, gees to the pilots. The R.A.F.
prour.d crews, without m-dals or publicity, did the work that kept the pi.?- s
i i the air. Working in desperate haste they patched bullet holes, welded
frames, overhauled motors. Bccauce of their efforts, the R.A.F. was able to
keep a maximum number of planes in the air.*
Now, two years after the great battle of Sept. 15, 1940, the United
Nations air forces are the meet effective fighting force in the world. In Erg-
lend R.A.F. fliers cf a dozen nationalities have battled German raiders to a
t.ancxstjll. U. S. pilots v/ith their Flying Fortresses have joined in the big
cir oifensive against Germany, in Africa, Russia, the East Indies, China er.d
the Pacific the fliers of the United Nations add daily to their list of victories.
1 s this global war, reset experts think, the victory will depend finally on r r
’ ewer. Ter this rc-cen the Er’iio Over Eritnin v/an nre th*n a cir.' .a
engagement. It v/zs the eernerstore cf the United Nalls .z victory .j cotrs.
As soon as plan"’. leaded on the fighter airdromes dur-
ing the Battle of Britan mechanics reloaded the v/Ing-
mounted machine-guns and refilled the gas tanks.
Today the air battle of Britain has become the Battle
of Germrny. In this battle are airmen of the L’oi" J
Nations. Ec'cw a l'. F. ground c:c;v cheers as a T.y : '
Fortress lakes c.T—usc.!nati:n, a t_;r_rt in Nahiaau.
Polish fliers have been on the wing *-ir.ce Dunkirk. Largest
Allied cr.lt in Erll-'n, over 10,On Polish pilots nnd crew
members arc now taking part in attacks on Germany.
Nazi planes brought down in England were dis-
r.:.:;:‘lcd and then smelted down to produce more
Sp.litres and Hurricanes for the Allied Air Force.
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Behrent, Howard. Falfurrias Facts (Falfurrias, Tex.), Vol. 36, No. 17, Ed. 1 Friday, September 25, 1942, newspaper, September 25, 1942; (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth879501/m1/4/?q=%22%22~1: accessed July 15, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu.; .