ROUT OF NAZIS

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20076, 24 October 1939, Page 5

ROUT OF NAZIS

AERIAL CONFLICT TEST IN NORTH SEA PROTECTION OF CONVOY ADMIRABLE EFFICIENCY GRIM FACTS FOR ENEMY (Elec. Tel. Copyright—United Press Assn.) (British Official Wireless.) Reed. 12 noon RUGBY, Oct. 23. The newspapers expressed pride at the manner in which British airmen and seamen dealt with the Nazi bombers’ attack on a British convoy in the North Sea when four of 12 German aircraft were brought down and no ships of the convoy or the escort damaged. When the raiders were finally driven off, one of the escort vessels passed along the lines of the convoy flying a signal from the commanding officer congratulating them on the way they had kept formation during the attack. Further facts now available state that from time to time during the morning enemy .seaplanes were sighted shadowing the convoy from low-lying clouds at an extreme range. Their appearance was greeted with spasmodic bursts of fire from the escort vessels. Vanished in Mist At 12.30 p.rn. out of a mist there appeared three bombing planes diving at the convoy. Fire was opened by all the escort vessels and the enemy, after passing over the convoy and dropping several bombs, banked steeply and vanished into the mist. The sky to the south-east now cleared and there was extreme visibility to seaward. At 1 p.m. seaplanes were sighted high up in, the clouds to the south-east and presently two flights of three turned to attack the convoy. The leading escort vessel opened a heavy barrage, from which the attackers turned away. Bombs were seen falling on the horizon. Again they turned towards the convoy, visible now to all the escort ships, which opened Are in the line of advance and again turned them. A flight of British fighters now came swooping across the convoy from the land and when last seen from the leading escort vessel were disappearing into the clouds to the eastward in pursuit of the flying seaplanes. No Hits Obtained No hits were obtained on the convoy and no casualties occurred. The convoy reached its destination in due course without further molestation. The Daily Telegraph, while admitting that it is unwise to count on the maintenance of immunity and emphasising that it is only the North Sea trade with which German aircraft can attempt serious interference, says: “It is plain that the arrangements for co-operation between the escort I vessels and fighter aircraft worked with admirable efficiency. There could be no better answer than this complete defeat and disastrous rout to the claims which the Nazi broadcast put forth on the eve of the fight that German bombers rule the North Sea. "Resort to the air arm for the destruction of merchant vessels is in itself a confession that the submarines have disappointed the Nazi leaders. The facts are grim for them. Air bombing was imperative if there was io be any hope that the war on our ships would frighten us and neutrals and, perhaps most important, encourage German people." Testing- of Problems

The Manchester Guardian says that one by one the problems which vexed the military leaders of all countries before the war are being put to the test. One of the most problematical was how the balance between defence and attack in the case of convoys would be left by the introduction of air power as a new element. Commenting on the North Seaf engagement, the Guardian says: “In some ways this episode is the most encouraging of any that has yet taken place.” It also adds a note of caution until there has been a wider experience of air attack on convoys in varied circumstances.

The naval correspondents of the newspapers, who generally regard the .esson of the incident as heartening, stress the successful co-operation of fighter aircraft in the convoy system.

AIR RAID WARNING FIRTH OF FORTH NO ENEMY CRAFT (Reed. Oct. 23, 11.50 a.m.) LONDON, Oct. 24. An air raid warning was sounded in the Firth of Forth area after the approach of unidentified aircraft to-day. Later it became known that there were no enemy aircraft in the area.

BLOC FOR BALKANS ITALY AS LEADER RUMANIA WILLING (Reed. Oct 24, Noon.) BUDAPEST, Oct. 23. Rumania's Government newspapers declare that Rumania is willing to join an Italian-led neutral Balkan bloc to prevent further south-eastern expansion by Germany and Russia.

It is stated that Hungary and Yugoslavia are already working closely with Signor Mussolini.