NAZI RAIDERS

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20071, 18 October 1939, Page 7

NAZI RAIDERS

ATTEMPT ON FORTH HOT R.A.F. RECEPTION GERMANS’ FIRST HIT BOMB GLANCES OFF SHIP (Elec. Tel. Copyright—United Press Assn.' (Reed. Oct. 17, 2.50 mm.) LONDON, Oct. 10. The joint communique issued by tlie Admiralty, the Air Ministry and the Ministry of Horne Security concerning to-day’s attempted air raid on Scotland by enemy machines, states that four German planes were brought down out of a total of between 12 and 14. Three were brought down by the Royal Air Force and one otherwise. There were no Royal Air Force casualties. The communique explains that the casualties in the cruiser Southampton, and the cruiser Edinburgh were caused by splinters of a bomb which glanced off the Southampton, causing slight damage near the bow and sinking the Admiral’s 'barge and also a pinnace. A bomb fell near the destroyer, Mohawk. Chased Out to Sea The first contact between the Royal Air Force and the raiders was of! May Island at the entrance to the Firth of Forth at 2.35 p.m., when two enemy planes were driven down lo within a few feet of the water and chased out to sea. At 2.45 p.m. another enemy aircraft was engaged over Dalkeith and fell in flames into the sea. A sharp combat took place off Crail and a second raider crashed into the sea. The third German machine was destroyed In pursuit. A destroyer rescued two German aviators, one of whom has since died. Referring to the bomb which glanced off the Southampton, the communique says: “This was the first hit German, aircraft had made during the war upon a British ship.” The Mohawk suffered only superficial damage and is, like the others, ready for sea.