DISASTER TO GERMANS

Southland Times, Issue 24240, 25 September 1940, Page 5

DISASTER TO GERMANS

INVASION FLEET SCATTERED

HITLER LOSES . 50,000 PICKED TROOPS

REPORT FROM FRENCH FRONTIER

(United Press Assn.—Telegraph Copyright) (Received September 24, 8.20 p.m.) September 24. The correspondent of The Daily Mail on the FrenchSpanish frontier says that Herr Hitler lost between 50,000 and 60,000 picked troops in a disaster which scattered the invasion fleet on September 16. They were victims of Channel storms and a merciless Royal Air Force bombardment.

The German High Command had previously decided to make new dispositions because the troops already had suffered heavily from British bombing. The invasion fleet, consisting of thousands of barges, was taken out of the ports and moored along the lonely Flanders coast. The fleet was ready to cross the Channel on September 14, but because of the terrific losses of German planes that day orders to sail were delayed. South-west gales swept the Channel and tugs desperately tried to tow the barges to safety, but many overturned, drowning thousands. Flatbottomed motor-boats and heavilyladen transport ships drove helplessly before the wind. ' The Germans are still organizing. It is significant that since the disaster only the crews remain permanently aboard the vessels prepared for invasion.