NAVAL RAID ON DOVER

Hokitika Guardian, 23 April 1917, Page 2

NAVAL RAID ON DOVER

1 Two German Destroyers Sunk

(Australia & N.Z. Cable Association.)

LONDON, April 21. The Admiralty reports that last night fire German destroyers attempted to raid Dover.

They fired a number of rounds into ploughed fields a few miles from Dover and then steered in the direction of some of our shipping, possibly with the intention of attacking. They met two of our patrol resseis which, in five minutes, sunk at least two and, possibly, three. The remainder fled, escaping in the darkness. Tho (Britishers sustained no material damage, and their casualties were exceedingly slight in comparison with the results achieved.

It was a very fine example of destroyer work. We saved ton German officers and ninety-five men from the sunken vessels.

Further Particulars

London, April 23

Germans begran the bombardment near Dover at 1.40 in the morning. There ia a concensus of opinion that tbe raid was intended as a spectacular coup to interrnpt Hon Lloyd George’s return from his continental visit, but it proved premature. Five destroyers came from Zeebrugge and it is unofficially reported that three of them were sunk and another badly damaged. Siar shells were used by both sides and the flashing of guns lit the surrounding distriot, awakening tbe inhabitants.

The raid divided itself into two parte, a blind rush through the misty night, firing a few shells haphazard towards the land and then a sourry back to sea.

When the British intercepted they played havoc with superior forces. Trawlers landed thirty dead Germans.

(Receive! April 23, at noot.) London, April 22 There ere 22 British dead as the result of the destroyer aotion.

Brazil Rebellion

Rio Janiero, April 21

It is reported that Germans are attempting a rebellion in Rio Grande. The Parana eank the Catarina, which was well supplied with ammunition and some artillery'. Rebels attempted to dynamite the bridge at Santa Maria.

The Provincial Government at Rio Grande are concentrating troops at Portaleger. The Uruguayan Government are concentrating troopß on the frontier, fearing raids.