AIR ATTACKS

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20102, 23 November 1939, Page 10

AIR ATTACKS

PARACHUTE RAIDS B.E.F. PREPARED LONDON, Oct. 31. The British Expeditionary Force in France is constantly on the alert to deal with any enemy air attack, which might come in two forms—firstly, straight-forward attacks by fighters and bombers, and, secondly, tlie landing of small bodies of enemy troops far behind the lines from parachutes. These might attempt to destroy limited objectives of great strategic importance in what are regarded as safe areas, but their approach would be heard and the slowness of their descent would intensify their danger. British officers have been instructed to carry revolvers when in isolated areas.

This .form of attack has riot been tested yet in serious warfare between evenly-matched antagonists. Russians made the first experiments in manoeuvres, dropping large numbers of men from high altitudes. Other nations then began to study the possibilities of parachute landings. Germans exploited the method in Poland for the purpose of destroying bridges and ammunition dumps far in advance of the German vanguard. These parachutists wore Polish uniforms. Several were caught, and, properly, were shot as spies.

Parachutists could cause embarrassment by dislocating lines of communication, and by even kidnapping or shooting headquarters staff. Therefore, all headquarters—whose locations are secret and camouflaged—have troops ready to turn out at a moment's notice to deal with any surprise attack.