WOMEN WOUNDED

Wairarapa Times-Age, 18 March 1940, Page 8

WOMEN WOUNDED

FIRST CIVILIAN CASUALTIES IN AIR RAID ON BRITAIN. NAZI PLANES MEET BLAZE OF FIRE. By Telegraph—Press Association —Copyright. LONDON, March 17. Yesterday’s air raid by Nazi bombers on Scapa Flow caused the first civilian casualties from air raids. \mong the seven wounded were two women residents of a village. Five cottages were damaged. The Admiralty announcement tells how the nitackers met fighter aircraft together with the blaze of fire from ships' batteries, and shore defences. CASUALTIES IN VILLAGE SEVERAL COTTAGES DAMAGED. (Received This Day, 10.50 a.m.) RUGEY. March 17. The civilian casualties resulting from the bombing raid on Scapa Flow occurred in the village of Bridge of Waith. Several cottages were damaged. The civilian casualties are the first non-combatant casualties due to air attack sustained in Britain since the beginning of the war. GERMAN CLAIMS “SIX BRITISH WARSHIPS DAMAGED.” DENIAL OF ANY LOSS. (Received This Day. 9.5 a.m.) LONDON. March 17. A German radio special in an early communique stated: "Our Air Force, availing itself of the results of recent reconnoitring flights, attacked units of the British Navy at the base at Scapa Flew on Saturday evening. Several battleships and cruisers were tilt by bombs and heavily damaged. Several air bases were attacked and bombs were dropped. The planes completed their operations successfully, despite anti-aircraft and fighter defence. There were no losses.” A further communique issued by the German High Command states: "German planes bombed six British warships at Scapa Flow and definitely damaged three battleships and one cruiser and probably damaged two other warships. They also bombed three aerodiomes and one anti-aircraft battery." BASF: NOT USED MR CHURCHILL”S STATEMENT RECALLED. (Received This Day, 9.5 a.m.) LONDON. March 17. It is recalled that the First Lord of the Admiralty. Mr Winston Churchill, recently stated that the Navy had not used Scapa Flow since the Royal Oak was torpedoed. NAZI PLANE CRASHES WRECK FOUND ON DANISH ISLAND. (Received This Day, 9.25 a.m.) COPENHAGEN. March 17. A German warplane crashed shortly after midnight on. the Island of Lolland, one of the most southern Danish islands in the Baltic, and was found partly burned. The crew were missing. Two parachutes wear near the plane. GERMAN “SUCCESS” HAVOC IM HUMBLE VILLAGE. MANY BOMBS DROPPED ON LAND <Received This Dav, 1.5 p.m.) LONDON. March 17. Germany is resounding with claims of a big success in the Scapa Flow raid, but humble Sternness folk mourn the death of a neighbour. James Isbister. He was standing at the door of his home when an eseaping enemy plane dropped a number of bombs, cue cl' which exploded near the Eridge of Waithe, killing him and wounding two others and damaging several cottages. Over fifty high explosive bombs fell on the west mainland area of the Orkneys and also scores of smaller incendiary bombs, oi.e of which set fire to haystacks. NAZI TALK ATTACKS ON SCAPA MATTER GF ROUTINE. (Received This Day. 1.25 p.m.) BERLIN, March 17. The Gorman Official Nows Agency states "The concentration of warships at Scapa Flow obviously is connected with preparations lor a special undertaking. Meanwhile German planes rushed over there with lightning speed and inflicted considerable losses, despite strong opposition. The success of the attack means that the British must ■write off’ this base. All the defensive measures which were intensified while the British Fleet hid itself in its western haunts have proved ineffective. Attacks against Scapa Flow must be considered c matter of routine."

NAVY’S REPLY

ASSURANCE OF EFFECTIVE

DEFENCE.

FEW GERMAN PLANES REACH

OBJECTIVE

i Received This Day. 1.25 p.m.) LONDON, March 17

British n:iv:d circles state: "Our eastern and northern bases have always been recognised as subject to air attack, but we are confident of giving a good account of ourselves. It is significant that only a small portion of the force dispatched from Germany look part in the action. Others must have missed their way. Even a majority oi the Germ.'ii planes actually participating preferred killing and wounding civilians in a village miles from the v, arbour to facing the fire from the ship.': and ballories."

MANY RAIDS

ABORTIVE ATTEMPT ON FORTH BRIDGE. ATTACKERS BEATEN OFF. (Received This Day. 1.25 p.m.) LONDON. March 17. There were raids all around the coasts of Scotland last night. German pianos attempted to bomb naval and military objectives. Heinkel bombers tried to reach the Forth Bridge, but were beaten off by British fighters. The attackers did not. get within bombing distance of the bridge. It is officially announced that during a reconnaissance in the Heligoland Bight yesterday. Royal Air Force planes attacked with bombs a number of naval patrol vessels al various points between Borkum and Heligoland.