BRITISH AIR POWER

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20112, 5 December 1939, Page 5

BRITISH AIR POWER

EVIDENCE IN RAIDS ATTACK AT HELIGOLAND GERMAN WARSHIPS HIT NO R.A.F. CASUALTIES (Klee. Tel. Copyright—United Press Assn.) (British Official Wireless.) Retd. 9 a.m. RUGBY, Dec. 3. The first three months of the war against Germany, which Britain and France have been compelled to undertake in defence of the right of the nations of Europe to the peaceful enjoyment of independence, have ended with a new manifestation of Britain’s strength in the air, which significantly recalls the famous attack on Wilhclmshaven which marked the opening of the campaign in September. On that occasion units of the Royal Air Force carried out a successful attack on vessels of the German Navy at the heavily fortified harbours of Wilhelmshaven and Brunsbuttal at the entrance to Kiel Canal. Several direct hits with heavy bombs were registered on a German battleship in the Schilling Roads which resulted in severe damage. At Brunsbuttal an attack on a battleship lying alongside a mole resulted also in heavy damage. Heavily-Protected Base Now, to-day, comes the Air Ministry’s announcement of the successful attack on German warships in the vicinity of the heavily protected naval base of Heligoland by Royal Air Force bombers. Two cruisers were among the German warships attacked. They were lying' close to a flotilla of six or seven destroyers. The leader of the British attacking forces has reported that Heligoland was first seen through a gap in the clouds. When he gave the order to attack heavy anti-aircraft fire was opened on them. At this point one of the British aircraft fell out of formation, but was able to regain height and rejoin its formation and return home with the others. There were no casualties to the Royal Air Force personnel. Photographs were taken during the bombing. Among the German ships on which direct hits were obtained was one of the cruisers.