SUDDEN ATTACK

Taranaki Central Press, Volume IV, Issue 447, 1 June 1937, Page 5

SUDDEN ATTACK

BOMBS FALL ON DEUTSCHLAND Twenty Killed; 73 Injured Press Association —Copyright. London; May 31. With regard to the bombing of the German warship Deutschland by Spanish Loyalist aeroplanes—only two bombs struck the vessel, but 20 man were killed and 73 injured—the German Cabinet met latter Herr HitParr had conferred at Munich with ’3arcn von Neurath, Foreign Minister, a nd Admiral Raeder, naval command 'er_in-chief, all three then flying to Perlin, Marshal von Blemberg, Min-

ister of Defence, and 1 G-eneral Goeruig were present. A communique subsequently issued stated: ‘‘‘Following (a. recent incident when a Red aeroplane bombed English, German and Italian ships, in the l\irbour of Majorca, killing six Italian officers, German vessels were .forbidden to call there. The Deutschland belongs to the international nlaval control forces. Nevertheless, it was suddenly bombed between 6 p m. and | 8 p.m. on Saturday. “The ship was stationed in Ibiza harbour and the crew were unprotected* in the forecastle inasmuch Jas the ship was not ready for action. The | bomb fell in the middle of the quar- , ter-deek, land the second hit the : quarter-deck, causing minor damage. The ship completely retained its fighting and navigable ability and went to Gibraltar in order to disembark the injured. She did' not fire a single shot at the aeroplanes. “This fresh criminal attack af-

I ter tihe Valencia Government has I been twice warned compels Ger. I many to take measures which 1 j will be communicated to the NonI Intervention Committee. The in. j cident is scarcely credible. I “Germany knows how to give’ a proper answer to this unheard 1 Of provocation by the Spanish criminals.’’ A Gibraltlir cable says the injured have been placed in hospital and the services of all available doctors have been requisitioned. The funerals will be held to.morrow. All victims’ are naval ratings. No officers were killed or wounded'. A Gibraltar message slays that the Deutschland, with her Hag at halfmlast, entered Admiralty Harbour with 20 dead and 73 wounded. All British and foreign men.of-war in port flew flags at half-mast in sympathy.