My (now late) father used to recount a story of hearing a German bomber hit a barrage balloon cable over Newport docks when he was home on leave between basic & aircrew training.
Anyhow, did a bit of Googling & think I found that very incident & a fascinating website that is well worth a visit (although the HEIII depicted appears to be a Merlin engined example, but who could be that pedantic? 😉 )
Here
By: Dr Strangelove - 16th June 2012 at 16:54
Outstanding Pete 
My father also recounted that he later saw the German flier being moved under armed escort, possibly at the railway station, he said he looked a little crest fallen.
By: PeterVerney - 16th June 2012 at 16:29
Yes a fascinating site, which has been extended since I last looked at it. My father joined the Barrage Balloons and I think did his training at Newport. I did a piece for the site here
http://www.bbrclub.org/FRANK%20VERNEY%20ARCHIVE.htm
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June 16, 2012 at 1:46 pm