ATTACK BY PLANE

Waikato Times, Volume 122, Issue 20513, 1 June 1938, Page 5

ATTACK BY PLANE

BRITISH STEAMER SUNK VICTIM OF DELIBERATE ATTACK STRONG ACTION DEMANDED (Official Wireless) RUGBY, May 31 Replying in the House of Commons to a question about tiie*bombing of the British steamer Thorpehall, which was sunk off Valencia, the Foreign Under-Secretary, Mr R. A. Butler, 6aid that from reports he had received he understood the Thorpehall had been attacked by an aeroplane, which dropped two bombs. One struck the vessel, which sank half an hour later. From the fact that the ship was lying well away from the horbour and had been reconnoitred by a similar aeroplane on the previous evening, the British Government considered she had been the victim of a deliberate attack. The British Agent, Sir Robert Hodgson, had been instructed to bring the incident to the notice of the Burgos authorities and to request that strong disciplinary action should be taken against the crew of the offending aircraft. Sir Robert Hodgson had further been instructed to impress upon the Burgo# authorities the serious view taken by Britain of the repetition of deliberate attacks on British shipping, and to request that immediate instructions should i" given that such attacks should cease. Britain had reserved the right to. claim full compensation for loss or damage to persons and property resulting from this attack.