FRENCH WARSHIPS

Evening Star, Issue 23683, 17 September 1940, Page 7

FRENCH WARSHIPS

ARRIVAL AT AFRICAN PORT PURPOSE OF VOYAGE OBSCURE Press Association —By Telegraph—Copyright LONDON, September 16. (Received September 17, at 9.10 a.m.) The 1 Daily Telegraph’s ’ diplomatic correspondent says the arrival of six French warships at Dakar from Toulon at present cannot clearly be interpreted. The British naval authorities allowed them to pass only because they were leaving, and not entering, the Mediterranean, as a result of which six modern French warships have been withdrawn from possible seizure by Italy and Germany. One theory is that the ships are intended to replace the visit to Africa by General Weygand which he was unable to carry out owing to a “ mysterious accident ” to the plane in which he was travelling. Possibly he and the French naval authorities would not be surprised to find the position in French Africa developing in a manner they can no longer cope with. It is hardly credible that it is seriously proposed to use these ships ns an escort for a convoy of supply ships to France. The Vichy Government must know there is not the slightest hope of the British blockade relaxing in its favour. DOVER SHELLED AGAIN GERMAN LONG-RANGE GUNS IN ACTION REPLY TO BRITISH BOMBARDMENT OF fftENCH COAST LONDON, September 16. (Received September 17, at 10.30 a.m.) Heavy rainfall to-day broke the many weeks of fine weather off Dover. The sky over the straits was overcast by low clouds and mist over the sea. The French coast was silhouetted against a pale horizon. German long-range guns on the Ftench coast began shelling the Dover area at 11 a.m. The bombardment opened with a salvo while the town’s main streets were crowded with shoppers. Four salvoes were fired in 10 minutes, then the shelling ceased. Eleven Dover people were wounded. It is understood that the German guns were replying to a bombardment of the French coast front British long-range guns firing 24 rounds across the Channel.

NORTHERN IRELAND BOMBED GERMAN RADIO ANNOUNCEMENT BERLIN, September 16. (Received September 17, at 11 a.m.) The radio claimed that the Germans bombed Belfast and other coastal towns in Northern Ireland. SHIP SHOOTS DOWN BOMBER GOOD WORK BY GUN GREW (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, September 16. (Received September 17, at-10.10 a.m.) Information has been received that the British ship Port Auckland, which was proceeding down the river Thames during one of the enemy’s air attacks on London yesterday, shot down an enemy bomber. A shell from the Port Auckland’s anti-aircraft gun burst close under the German bomber, which caught fire and crashed in flames on the bank of the river. One of the bomber’s crew was seen to bale out. BRITISH LOSSES WELL BELOW ESTIMATES (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, September 16. (Received September 17, at 11.15 a.m.) It can be authoritatively stated that the losses sustained by 11 A.F. bombers in the intensive night raids upon vital military objectives in Germany and German-occupied territories have been at much lower rates than those responsible for the long-term planning of British air operations thought it prudent to allow for. The rate for the whole first year of the war was considerably below what had been anticipated, but even in the last few months, while blow after blow has been struck at German oil resources and vital communications and, latterly, at invasion bases across the Channel, the rate of loss has still been much below that for which provision was originally made. • " SENSELESS BRUTALITY" BOMBING OF TEL-AVIV (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, September 16. (Received September 17, at 10.5 a.m.) Messages have been telegraphed to the High Commissioner of Palestine from Mr Churchill and Lord Lloyd expressing sympathy with the people of Tcl-Aviv who were recently bombed by the Italians. Mr Churchill asked that the Mayor of Tol-Aviv be informed of bis deep sympathy in the losses sustained. and added, “ This act ol senseless brutality will only strengthen our united resolve.”-