INHUMAN NAZIS

Waikato Times, Volume 125, Issue 20993, 21 December 1939, Page 8

INHUMAN NAZIS

WAR ON FISHERMEN BRUTAL TACTICS HELPLESS MEN ATTACKED (Official Wireless) (Received Dec. 21, 3.15 p.m.) RUGBY, Dec. 20 The recent German campaign of bombing and machine-gun-ning unarmed trawlers and small fishing vessels, which is creating considerable indignation here, is generally considered to result from the failure of the German endeavour, both in the illegal mine sowing campaign and all other forms of sea warfare. Skipper J. M. Hall of the trawler Isabella Grieg, gives an account of how his ship was bombed and machine-gunned by German aircraft last Sunday—an example typical of many such cowardly and merciless attacks.. He said: “Our trawl was down, when two aircraft, recognised as twin-engined Hcinkels, were sighted 1 coming from the east and south-east. The trawler’s crew of ten took cover. The aircraft came on, flying low and passed, one on each side of the trawler, the rear gunners firing their machine-guns. Altogether they circled the Isabella Grieg eight times, , with the machines’ wing tips nearly touching the water as they turned. “Besides machine-gunning, they also dropped between 15 and 20 bombs. “During one short respite the crew started to lower a boat, but the aeroplanes, returning, opened a heavy lire and wounded two men.” The skipper meanwhile, with great difficulty, had managed to get off a distress signal. Finally the boat was lowered and put into the water, riddled with bullets and the water barrel punctured. The crew, taking the two wounded men with them, abandoned the ship. When the boat was 500 yards away from the trawler, which was still afloat, the aircraft returned and opened fire on the boat, luckily without result, and dropped three moie bombs. British aeroplanes then appeared and the Germans made off in the direction of home. This trawler was entirely unarmed, and was flying the British mercantile flag, and was engaged in fishing. The German aircraft gave no warning whatever before opening fire, and had apparently flown 350 miles from Germany for the set purpose of attacking Scottish fishermen. A Further Incident The evening papers gave details of further similar outrages. The trawler Trinity was bombed and machine-gunned in the North Sea yesterday. The survivors while escaping from the sunken ship, were machine-gunned in the water by the Nazi bombers. Two of the crew of the Trinity were killed and one wounded. Last night the German announcer brazenly admitted air attacks on 24 defenceless fishing vessels, and tried to excuse them by describing the vessels as warships and naval auxiliaries.

MR CHAMBERLAIN

RETURN TO ENGLAND /.United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright) LONDON, Dec. 19 After an active day on the snowbound Western Front, Mr Chamberlain returned to London. In a broadcast speech he referred to his enjoyment of his visit to France, the deep impression created by the troops and air components, and his amazement that proficiency had been attained so soon.

The Prime Minister expressed his delight at the excellent relations between the British troops and French civilians. He wished all ranks a happy Christmas and the best of luck in the New Year.