SECURITY PATROL

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20120, 14 December 1939, Page 5

SECURITY PATROL

NEW R.A.F. MOVE WATCH OVER RAIDERS HAMPERING THE ENEMY MINE-LAYING ACTIVITY SUCCESSFUL OPERATIONS (Klee. Tel. Copyright,—United Press Assn.) (Reed. Dec. 14, 11 a.m.) LONDON. Dec. 13. The Air Ministry states that last night “security patrols” over the islands of Sylt, Borkum. and Norderney, in order to interrupt the activity of mine-laying German aircraft operations, performed successfully,- despite considerable anti-air-craft opposition. It. is understood that the patrols began a week ago and have been maintained throughout, other periods favourable to mine-laying from the air. This for the first time reveals the new plan for keeping watch on enemy mine-sowing raiders at their | bases. Last night's patrols possibly explain the sudden cessation of broadcasting from the Hamburg and Bremen stations, which faded out in the middle of the English news bulletins at 8.20 p.m. and were silent for the rest of the night. Heligoland Bight A Berlin communique states that British planes raided the Heligoland Bight overnight. Anti-aircraft fire from the northern island and also from German- battleships prevented the raiders reaching ■ the North Sea coast. The comment of the Minister of Air. Sir Kingsley Wood, in the House of Commons yesterday on the raid on Heligoland referred to the raid of December 3. .His statement that 20 Messerschmitts were. encountered is accurate. The Air Ministry’s earlier report that only . one was engaged was issued before the pilots and gunners’ reports had been fully examined and co-related, Two air raiders oYi the Scottish east coast to-da.v were driven off before the fighters co.itae ed them. The raiders did not cross the coast. A fleet air arm plane hit a balloon barrage cable at Southampton and crashed, four of the crew being killed.