AIRMEN ON GUARD

Wairarapa Times-Age, 14 December 1939, Page 7

AIRMEN ON GUARD

AGAINST MINE-LAVING CRAFT PATROLS IN HELIGOLAND EIGHT REVELATION OF NEW PLAN. By Telegrapn— Press Association—Copyright. (Received This Day. 10.20 a.m. I LONDON. December 13. The Air Ministry states that last night security patrols were maintained continuously over the islands of Sylt, Borkum and Norderney in order to interrupt the activity of mine-laying aircraft. The operations were successfully performed despite considerable anti-aircraft opposition. It is understood that the patrols began a week ago and have been maintained throughout other periods favourable for mine-laying from the air. This is the first time the new plan has been revealed of keeping watch on enemy mine-sowing raiders and their bases. Last night’s patrols possibly explain the sudden cessation of broadcasting from the Hamburg and Bremen stations which faded out in the middle of the English news bulletins at 8.20 and were silent for the rest of the night.

GERMAN REPORT FIRE FROM ISLANDS AND SHIPS. (Received This Day, 10.20 a.m. LONDON. December 13. A Berlin communique states: "British planes raided the Heligoland Bight overnight, but anti-aircraft fire from the northern islands and also from German battleships prevented the raiders reaching the North Sea coast.”