SHELLED FROM FRANCE

Waikato Times, Volume 127, Issue 21199, 23 August 1940, Page 5

SHELLED FROM FRANCE

LONG-RANGE GUNS IN ACTION ATTACK ON BRITISH CONVOY AT DOVER PLANES SHOT DOWN USED AS SPOTTERS (Official Wireless) (Received Aug. 23, 11 a.m.) RUGBY, August 22 Enemy shore batteries ou the French coast today shelled a British convoy passing through the Straits of Dover, according to an eye-witness’ reports contained in agency messages this afternoon. It is estimated that the fire of shore batteries was at the rate of ten rounds every minute and that from 80 to 100 shells were fired, hut as far as is known no ship was hit or damaged. Royal Air Force fighters drove off German bombers which attacked the convoy after the shelling ceased, and one eye-witness believes that at least two enemy aircraft were badly hit. It is believed that an aeroplane flying at a great height was being used by the enemy as a spotter for their shellfire, but the escorting British warships made a smoke-screen round the convoy as the firing proceeded. The shore guns must have been some twenty miles away. German guns on the French coast shelled the south-east coast of Britain tonight.

Shells Fall Near Ships An official account of the shelling of a British convoy in the Channel today is contained in a joint Admiralty and Air Ministry communique, which states: Shortly before noon one of our convoys in the vicinity of the Straits of Dover came under fire from heavy guns mounted on the French coast. The warships escorting the convoy immediately laid smoke-screens to conceal the convoy from the enemy. Although some shells fell fairly close to the ships no ship of the convoy or escort was hit or received damage. The same convoy later was attacked by enemy aircraft. No damage was caused by this attack and the enemy was driven off by our gunfire and fighter aircraft. Our fighters shot down one enemy aircraft in the course of this action. 1000 Shot Down The total German aeroplanes destroyed around the British coasts since the large-scale raids began on June 18 reached 1000 with the aeroplanes brought down in the German attack on a British convoy. Four more were shot down during raids over the British coast today, according to an Air Ministry communique, which states that reports received up to 7 p.m. show that a small number of enemy aircraft, in most cases operating singly, crossed our coasts today. None penetrated more than a few miles and no bombs were dropped on land. Two of our fighters have been lost but one pilot is safe.