“HELL-FIRE CORNER”

Waikato Times, Volume 127, Issue 21209, 4 September 1940, Page 8

“HELL-FIRE CORNER”

INFERNO OF NAZI SHELLS BRITISH CONVOY’S ORDEAL THRILLING STORY TOLD (United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright) LONDON, Sept. 3 When a British convoy sailed on Thursday through “Hell-fire Corner,” as the Strait of Dover is now called, into an inferno of German shellfire from the French coast, followed by a rain of bombs, a volunteer Lewis gunner on the leading ship was a newspaperman. He was Jerome Willis, of the Evening Standard, who tells a thrilling story of the attack. “Our first indication that we were under fire came when a column of water spouted up ahead,” he states. “This was quickly followed by three columns in a line, and then we saw gun flashes from the French coast. “Gradually the shells came nearer until they whizzed over our masts and burst near the white cliffs. There was a terrific detonation as one burst near us, after which shell fragments spattered the decks. Screaming of Shells “One of our destroyers shot ahead, sending out banks of smoke, which rolled over us like black clouds in a thunderstorm. This protecting wall of smoke probably saved us from being blown to pieces, but shells still screamed over us through the smoke screen. “We heard a muffled roar now and then, and saw cascades of water when a shell burst amid the convoy. It was grand to see the majestic way the convoy ships kept their stations. “After the shelling stopped formations of German bombers dived on us like angry wasps. The Lewis gunners gave a whoop of joy as they swung their guns skywards. Every gun on the 12 ships comprising the convoy, also the escort vessels, went into action.

“Nothing could be heard, but the roaring and rattling of big and little guns. Nobody bothered about the bombs, but we heard them crashing into the sea around us. “Then the ‘Cease fire’ sounded, and overhead roared the Spitfires. They dived on the Germans like destroying angels, and tracer bullets rained through the blue sky, while the ships’ crews stood beside their guns and watched.

“The German aeroplanes scattered and sped over the sea, and peace descended on our convoy, which sailed majestically up the coast.” The convoy was not harmed.