MACHINES OVER THAMES AREA

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20103, 24 November 1939, Page 7

MACHINES OVER THAMES AREA

SLOWLY-DROPPING “UMBRELLAS” SEEN

ABOMINATION OF GERMAN SAVAGERY

MAGNETISED MENACE IN SEA LANES

(Elec. Tel. Copyright—United Press Assn.) (Reed. Nov. 24. 11 a.m.) LONDON, Nov. 23. It is revealed that German planes, flying low over the Thames estuary just before a raid last night, dropped mines by means of parachutes. It is understood the mines were magnetic.

It is believed that German seaplanes have also, been experimenting with indiscriminate sowing of highlyexplosive miniature mines at sea. The seaplanes are able to carry a number of these.

British experts are devising means of combating the menace.

Crews of tug-boats on the Thames were eye-witnesses of the dropping of mines by parachutes. One man said: “I was staggered to see a big German seaplane, only 50ft. over the water and about 100 yards from the shore. I saw something splash in the water. As it roared past the machine was so close that I saw the silhouette of men’s heads against a dim light burning in the cockpit, A machine-gun opened up as it passed.”

'Others described objects like open umbrellas which drifted down slowly and were clearly visible in the moonlight. One floated clown in the fairway and was exploded by rifle fire.

Fifteen Mines Washed Ashore

The Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty, Mr. G. 11. Shakespeare, informed the House of Commons that 15 German mines had been washed ashore on the British coast in the past fortnight.

Reference to Germany’s mine-laying policy was made in a broadcast speech last night by the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Sir John Simon. lie said: “You have been reading in your newspapers of .this latest abomination of German savagery —a magnetic mine secretly deposited in the channels of the sea in order to blow up, without warning, neutral and British shipping alike and to destroy the innocent lives of women and children and unarmed men. This is a breach of the rules of war, which Germany only two months ago had expressly promised to obey. “By this ruthless brutality the enemy hopes to sap the strength of our island fortress and to cut off our supplies.

“Meanwhile the brave crews of our minesweepers are risking danger for their country’s sake, our incomparable navy is on the watch, our air force keeps ceaseless vigil, the mercantile marine continues its perpetual service and all that skill and science can devise is devoted to meeting the new danger. We are confident that their efforts will 1)0 successful.”