GALLANT AIR'RAID

Waikato Times, Volume 125, Issue 20910, 15 September 1939, Page 10

GALLANT AIR'RAID

ATTACK ON GERMAN WARSHIPS NEW ZEALAND OFFICERS PARTICIPATE THRILLING ACCOUNT OF RAID ON KIEL CANAL (United Press Assn. —Elec. Tel. Copyright) (Received Sept. 15, 3 p.m.) J LONDON, Sept. 14 The Ministry of Information announces that the first eye-witness accounts of the air raids against the enemy after the outbreak of war can now be given. It is the story of the Kiel raids, obtained from Royal Air Force pilots and navigators, who struck this blow against Germany’s naval strength. Some of these pilots flew so close to one of the two warships which were bombed that they almost touched her masthead and could see in vivid detail what happened on her decks, also what happened on the quayside. The pilots and crews were drawn from all parts of Britain. There were several officers also from Canada, New Zealand, Australia and Eire. The leader’s personal story is: “We started for Wilhelmshaven at 4 p.m. on September 4. The afternoon was fine when we left, but as we flew we met foul weather, with heavy and continuous rain. When we reached Wilhelmshaven the weather cleared for a few minutes. “Breaking the flight formation we flew singly into Schilling Roads. We could see a German warship taking on stores. Flying at a hundred feet above the masts, all three aircraft in our flight converged on the battleship. I flew straight ahead, the pilot of the second aircraft came across from one side, and the third pilot crossed from the other. “We could see the crews running to their stations. As we flew on top of. the battleship we dropped bombs and our second pilot saw two hit. “We came round and the ship’s pompoms began to fire as we headed homewards. “The pilot of the third aircraft saw the first bomb drop from the second bomber. It appeared to drop dead amidships.”

“SOME HOT STUFF” SHELLS ALMOST HIT PLANES ONE GERMAN PLANE SEEN (United Press Assn.—Elec. TeL Copyright) (Received Sept. 15, 3.15 p.m.) LONDON, Sept. 14 The leader of the first flight to reach Wilhelmshaven, who had a Canadian as navigator, continued: "When we reached Wilhelmshaven alter two hours' flying from England we saw the German warship taking on stores from two tenders. We could even see some washing hanging on a line. Undaunted hy tne washing we proceeded to bomb the battleship. Afterwards, when we turned for home the ship's pom-pom guns began to fire, and my navigator saw shells bursting almost on tne tail of the air"ißy now the battleship’s erew were all at their action stations, and the third pilot got, as he said, 'some hot stuff.’ lie dropped his bombs and made a fast circuit round Uie battleship. "Wheeling, he noticed three bursts of lire at the leader's machine. "During the whole action only one German aircraft was seen. It was a biplane, which flew past and disappeared.” Eye-witnesses described it as "very poor looking." By 7.30 p.m. the British machines were back at their stations. WAR IN AIR GERMANS FORCED TO FLEE ENGAGED BY BRITISH PLANES CREW INTERNED IN HOLLAND (United Press Assn. —Elec. Tel. Copyright) (Received Sept. 15, 3.15 p.m.) THE HAGUE, Sept. 14 It is officially announced that the four members of the crew of the -German plane which landed near the island of Ameland, in Dutch territorial waters, stated that they were engaged by British machines over the English Channel and finally forced to flee. The plane was confiscated and the crew interned, in conformity with the regulations for the maintenance of Dutch neutrality. PLANES FOR YUGOSLAVIA STOPPED BY GERMANS REFUSAL TO TRANSPORT WHEAT (United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright) (Received Sept. 15, 3.15 p.m.) BUDAPEST, Sept. 14 It is reliably staled that, the Germans stopped a consignment uf aeroplanes to Yugoslavia ill the frontier, as a result of Yugoslavia's refusal lo transport wheat to Germany until Germany returns 400 rail trucks and 100 river barges. Yugoslavia declined a German suggestion to dump the shipment on the border, to enable its transfer to German freight cars.

MISSING PILOT SAFE REPORT FROM GERMANY BROADCAST TO THE DOMINION FLYING-OFFICER L. H. EDWARDS A radio broadcast from Berlin, which was heard in Hamilton about 12.30 o’clock to-day, reports the safety of Flying-Officer Laurence Hugh Edwards, who was believed earlier in the week to have been the first New Zealand casualty In the war. Flying-Officer Edwards, formerly of Patea, and a Taranaki and Wellington representative Rugby player, was reported missing alter carrying out Air Force patrol duties, which were believed to have been the attack by British bombers on the Welhelmshavea naval base on the Kiel Canal, Germany. Speaking to New Zealand himself, the person whom the German radio announcer said was Flying-Officer Edwards, said he was well, and as a prisoner of war in Germany was being splendidly treated. BUPPLIES OF COFFEE REQUEST FROM RUSSIA (United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright) (Received Sept. 15, 3.15 p.m.) WASHINGTON, Sept. 14 The Soviet is seeking large supplies of Colombian coffee from the United States and is requesting shipment in Russian ships. This is interpreted as a move to meet the German demand. FOOTBALL IN BRITAIN BIG FIXTURES CANCELLED CLUB GAMES TO CONTINUE (United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright) (Received Sept. 15, ii a.m.) LONDON, Sept. 14 At a special meeting of the Rugby Football Union committee it was decided that all fixtures already arranged for the 1930-40 season except schoolboy matches should he cancelled until further notice. It was hoped, however, that club games not interferir.|g with national duties and the Government regulations would he played. A general moratorium was declared in respect of outstanding loans to clubs. The subscriptions of affiliated clubs were suspended and the conference with the Dominions arranged for December 15 was postponed.