NORTH SEA RAID

Opotiki News, Volume II, Issue 274, 22 December 1939, Page 4

NORTH SEA RAID

GERMAN PLANES SMALL SHIPS SUNK TUSCAN STAR BOMBED ITALIAN BOAT ATTACKED R.A.F. ENGAGES EINIEIMY LONDON, Dec. 18. An official communique says .that German planes made several attacks on British and neutral merchantmen and fishing vessels in the North Sen yesterday. During the morning they bombed and sank the Serenity and the trawler New Choice. Both crews were saved. They also macbine-guimedl the Ciaigiolea, wounding two members of (lie crew, but made off as fighters approached. Further attacks were made in the afternoon on the Tuscan Star, of 11,440 tons, and tlu* trawlers Dervish, Sheldon. Arnold Bennett, and Dromio., aiul the Italian ship, Valentino Coda, of 168:3 tons. The Germans attacked iho Tuscan Star with bombs, killed the second wireless operator, and then machine-gunned the vessel. The Royal Air Force engaged the enemy in the failing light and fired a number, of rounds which inflicted damage as the raiders disappeared in the clouds. An eye-witness declared that one raider was destroyed. It also appeared that the enemy aircraft attacked a mine-sweeping fleet off the north-east- coast. Heavy firing was heard from the shore. Ihe eye-wit-ness also saw the bomber escaping from fighters, in the clouds. The Admiralty announced! this.evening that the trawlers Evelina and Red go fly are overdue and must be presumed to have been sunk. I.wcu-ty-fivc names of the crews are published as believed to have been killed.