DESTROYER RAID IN THE CHANNEL

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 129, 18 February 1918, Page 5

DESTROYER RAID IN THE CHANNEL

SURPRISE ATTACK IN THE DARKNESS

DOVER PATROL FIGHTS AGAINST HEAVY ODDS

EIGHT VESSELS LOST

(Ree. February 17, 5.5' p.m.)

London, February 15 Heavy gunfire was hoard off the β-ent coast early this morning. The enemy s destroyers came into the Uiannol and attacked our drifters in the darkness. Several English bodies have been landed.-Aus.-jf.Z. Cable

A GALLANT EXPLOIT

(Kec. February 17, 5.5 p.m.) . London, February 16. Residents of the South-east" Coast were awakened by violent gunfire in the Channel, which continued for an ,, .°" r ; -lie gun-flashes were plainly visible. The Dover Patrol ligaKcd the enemy, which was believed to belong to the Gorman Zeebrugge flotilla. The men belonging to the trawlers and mine-sweepers, though ovemvlielmed, behaved with groat gallantry. Two survivors escaped in a boat from a blazing drifter, and returned when the destroyers disappeared, quoncliod the lire, and brought the drifter back to port.—"The Times."

THE ADMIRALTY REPORT

4 TRAWLER AND SEVEN DRIFTERS SUNK. (Ree. February 17, 5.5 p.m.)

I London, February 15. I The Admiralty reports: -'A flotilla of large enemy 'destroyers made a swift raid one morning upon otir patrol ( forces in the Straits of Dover, and sank one trawler and seven drifters which were limiting for a submarine. The destroyers returned northward rapidly before we wen; able to engage them."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.-Reutcr.

THE GERMAN VERSION

(Rec. February 17, 11.20 p.m.)

London, February 17

A German official report states: "Our torpedo boats on the night of February 14 made a. surprise attack on strong forces that were guarding the Channel between Calais and Dover, and Grisnez and Folkestone.' A big guardship and numerous armed fishing vessels and motor-boats were forced to give battle, the largest part of these being destroyed. Our warships returned without loss or damage."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.Reuter. DOVER BOMBARDED BY A SUBMARINE THIRTY ROUNDS IN THREE MINUTES. (Ree. February 17, 5.5 p.m.) London, February 16. The Press Buieau states:' "An enemy submarine bombarded Dover ?t ten minutes past twelve this morning, and discharged thirty -rounds in three minutes. One child was killed, while three men, one woman, and three children were injured. Slight damage was done to houses."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.-lleuter.

THE GRAND FLEET'S CHANCE

MAY BE A' LONG TIME. COMING, SAYS LORD JELLICOE.

(Rec. February 17, 5.5 p.m.) London, February 16.

Admiral. Lord Jellicoe, freaking at Kew, said he was not optimistic about the British Grand Fleet getting a chance against the onemy for some time. "Many times I took the Grand Fleet to Heligoland Bight, 'dragging our coat,' but the enemy never 'trod on our tail. 1 " —Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.

AIR RAID ON LONDON

A BRIEF MESSAGE. (Rec. February 18, 0.35 a.m.) London, February 17. The Press Bureau states:—"Hostile aircraft crossed the Kentish coast and the-Thames Estuary at ten o'clock last night, and proceeded towards London. Ono bomb was dropped in London."— Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.-Reuter.