NAZI PREPARATIONS TO INVADE BRITAIN

Wairarapa Times-Age, 24 October 1940, Page 5

NAZI PREPARATIONS TO INVADE BRITAIN

Terrific Damage Done in Channel and Other Ports VIGILANT WATCH ON 2000 MILES OF COAST THREAT REGARDED AS STILL PERSISTING The Air Ministry has given fresh details of German preparations to invade Britain, a 8.8. C. broadcast states. Since the first threat of invasion early last month, the R.A.F. has Kept a constant watch on all German sea bases from Narvik to Bordeaux, a distance of 2,000 miles. In the early days of September there were only small concentrations of men and material at Channel ports, but before long hundreds of barges and other items of war equipment were assembled. Each barge was capable of accommodating two train loads of men or material, and small craft were altered so that tanks and guns could be more easily carried. Submarines and other war vessels were also assembled. On one occasion 45 large merchant ships were reported at Le Havre. Inland, more preparations were proceeding*. The Air Ministry statement goes on to show how these preparations were smashed. On September 5 a strong offensive against the enemy began on a large scale and numerous attacks were made day and night. Heavy damage was inflicted. Each invasion base came in foi’ a heavy bombardment. The Ministry has received from reliable sources evidence of the terrific damage done at the invasion ports. A tribute is paid to the courage and determination of the R.A.F. bomber pilots, but a warning is given that the threat of invasion still persists. Havoc in Germany GREAT OIL REFINERIES CLOSED DOWN Evidence continues to accumulate of the far-reaching damage inflicted by the R.A.F. on Germany itself the 8.8. C. reports. At Hamburg large oil refineries have been forced to close as the result of constant bombing. A reecnt advertisement in a German paper referred to the replanning and rebuilding of Hamburg and stated that the work would take a long time. In Berlin a large factory making precision machinery for the fighting services has been closed. Criticism of the German anti-aircraft defences has become open. Between October 15 and 21, the R.A.F. bombed targets in 29 different places in Germany. All the attacks were against oil stores, plants and refineries, docks, bases and shipbuilding yards. SMALL SCALE ATTACKS ON BRITAIN Yesterday German air attacks in Britain were on a small scale. Bombs were dropped on a town on the south-east coast and on two places in the London area. Little damage and few casualties were caused. Tuesday night’s attacks were on a much reduced scale.