CRASH OFF COAST

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20114, 7 December 1939, Page 5

CRASH OFF COAST

NAZI AEROPLANE RAIDERS VEER OFF SEEN IN SEARCHLIGHT ALARM IN ORKNEYS : BOY'S BODY FOUND (Elec. Tel. Copyright—United Press Assn.) (Reed Dec. 7, 12.10 p.m.) LONDON, Dec. 6. An unidentified aircraft was reported at a high altitude over the Thames estuary early this morning. Searchlights found two planes which then, swooped down low over the sea and disappeared in <a north-east-erly direction. An air raid warning over the Orkneys this morning lasted for 30 minutes. A.n enemy plane was heard overhead. Narrowly missing a gasometer • a German twin-engined monoplane crashed in the shallows off the Norfolk coast. The body of a German boy pilot was washed ashore. A lifeboat searched for some time, but was unable to find survivors. The machine apparently crashed out of control. British fighters were not seen in the vicinity and anti-aircraft’ fire was not heard. An Air Ministry bulletin states: "There was some enemy aircraft activity last night off the east coast. Fighter aircraft went up, but the weather conditions were bad and contact was not made. "The wreckage of a German aircraft and the body of a German airman were recovered off the East Anglian coast. This machine crashed during the night and it is presumed it was engaged in minelaying operations." An Amsterdam message states that a lifeboat went to the assistance of a German plane which came down outside territorial waters and sent out lan S.O.S. Later the plane was toWed to Emden. Anti-aircraft guns fired on two unidentified planes flying westward.