NEWS AND NOTES.

Hokitika Guardian, 14 June 1927, Page 4

NEWS AND NOTES.

MAGNIFICENT ZEEI3III7GGE. LONDON, April 23. Nine years ago to-day in the night of April 22-23, 3938, the British Navy carried out the blocking of Zeebruggo hy one of the most brilliant operations in the history of naval war. To approach a coast which was one series ■f batteries, manned by excellent gunners and armed with the most powerful artillery every employed in such works, the highest decree of courage and organisation was required. The attack opened at 3 3.20 run. and the order to withdraw was given at 3.2.0 f). In an hour and a half the Vindictive was laid along side the Mole, winch was stormed by a force of British seamen and Royal Marines, while an old submarine, loaded with explosives, was detonated under the viaduct which connected the Mole with the shore.

Under cover of the attack on the Mole, three blocksliips ran into the entrance, two of which succeeded in reaching the positions appointed, where they were to he sunk. The charges in them were exploded and the crews escaped in motor launches. The entrance t Zeehrngge was temporarily blocked for small craft and permanently blocked for destroyers and larger vessels. In view of the great results obtained, the British loss was comparatively small—l 97 killed, 27 missing, and 433 wounded. Nine V. C.s were awarded for the magnificent gallantry displayed hy all ranks.

BETRAYED BY A WIFE. WARSAW, April 2

The Vilna police last night arrested the murderers of a rich landowner named Masiovski and his family. The murder was committed on February 11 at night, the five victims being found with their heads cut off.

A wife of one of the murderers, tempted hy the reward offered b,\ the authorities for the discovery of the criminals, betrayed her husband. His accomplices were peasants who were tools in the hands of a neighbour, a widower named Mackiewic-z.

The latter desired to marry MaslovS ki’s daughter, aged 10. a good-looking girl, very popular in V arsaw society. Ho was refused, and thereupon induced the peasants to commit the murder by paying them large sums of money.