HOLLAND BETRAYED

Wairarapa Times-Age, 16 May 1940, Page 5

HOLLAND BETRAYED

AID FOR STEALTHY NAZI ATTACK “SWEDISH” SHIP DISGORGES GERMAN TROOPS. CONFUSION BEHIND THE LINES. By Telegraph-—-Press Association—Copyright. (Received This Day, 10.30 a.m.) PARIS, May 15. Both M. Van Kieffens and a Havas Agency correspondent just returned from Holland emphasise that the lesson that can be learned from Holland’s fate is the danger of “Fifth Column” activities, lest other neutrals and allies be paralysed from within. M. Van Kleffens said parachuters disguised as Dutch soldiers came in thousands. A group of members of the “Fifth Column” took possession of the bridge connecting North Brabant and Zeeland, enabling an advance to Rotterdam. A supposedly Swedish ship at Rotterdam on May 10 suddenly opened its hatches and disgorged German soldiers and artillery. The Havas correspondent says the number of Germans who were hidden throughout Holland and attacked the country from within was far larger than was thought possible. These hidden Germans, Nazi parachuters and Dutch Nazis created undeniable, confusion behind the front lines. The High Command was compelled to withdraw thousands of troops to guard key points in the rear and root out members of the “Fifth Column.” Firing was audible throughout the day at The Hague, Amsterdam, Leyden and Utrecht. Nobody could be certain who was loyal and who was a traitor.

ACE PILOTS KAIN AND AUSTRALIAN HEAD LIST. DESTRUCTION OF ENEMY PLANES. (Received This Day, 9.10 a.m.) LONDON, May 15. The South Australian airman, L. Clisby, and the New Zealander, “Cobber” Kain, thus far share the honour of being the leading aces of the R.A.F. advanced air striking force. Clisby is credited with 14 enemy planes and Kain’s total to last Friday was eleven. Since then it is known that he has had further successes and probably equal's Clisby’s total. One fighter squadron alone has bagged 27 enemy machines since May 10, and <39 since the outbreak of war. All the original pilots of this squadron have shot down at least three German planes. AIR LOSSES IN BATTLE OF SEDAN. (Received This Day, 9.10 a.m.) LONDON, May 15. ■ An official statement says 35 Allied planes were lost in the great Battle of Sedan and the Meuse crossings. At least 15 German planes were destroyed. Two permanent and two pontoon bridges were blown up.

OFFICIAL REPORT LOSSES NOT CONSIDERED EXCESSIVE. (Received This Day, 10.30 a.m.) LONDON, May 15. An Air Ministry communique states that R.A.F. bombers and fighters, in co-operation with the French, took part in the action of the great battle of Sedan and Meuse crossings on Tuesday. Repeated low-flying attacks on troops and tank concentrations were highly successful, and valuably assisted the French army. Two permanent and two pontoon bridges were destroyed. Our fighters and anti-aircraft guns brought down at least 15 German planes. In the fury of these engagements detailed reports cannot be expected, but heavy losses must be sustained in attacking strongly-defended objectives. Our losses, which are not considered excessive in view of the results obtained, were 35 planes. However several crews from these have already returned to their aerodromes. AIR bombing BRITAIN’S ALLEGED VULNERABILITY. BOASTFUL DECLARATION BY GERMANS. LONDON. May 14. The Berlin radio, discussing Britain’s vulnerability to air bombing, stated: "German planes not only are already within reach of Harwich but also have bases for a direct attack against the whole of England, especially the south-eastern coast. The untouchability of Britain has ended in this period of modern aerial warfare.” |