PARACHUTE RAIDERS

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 60, Issue 32, 17 November 1939, Page 6

PARACHUTE RAIDERS

POSSIBILITY REALISED. PRECAUTIONS 13Y THE ARMY. LONDON, November 7. The British Expeditionary Force in France is constantly on the alert to deal with, any enemy air attack, which might come in two forms —firstly, straight-forward, attacks by fighters and bombers, And, secondly, the landing from parachutes of small bodies of enemy troops far behind the lines. The latter might attempt to destroy limited objectives of great strategic importance in what are regarded as safe areas, but their approach would be heard and the slowness of their descent would intensify their danger. British officers have been instructed to carry revolvers when in isolated areas.

This form of attack has not been tested yet in serious warfare between evenly-matched antagonists. The Russians made tho first experiments in manoeuvres, dropping large numbers of men from high altitudes. Other nations then began to study the possibilities of parachute landings. The Germans exploited the method in Poland for the purpose of destroying bridges and ammunition dumps far in advance of the German vanguard. These parachutists wore Polish uniforms. Several were caught, and, properly, were shot as spies. Parachutists could causo embarrassment by dislocating line*, of communication, and even by kidnapping or shooting a headquarters staff. Therefore, all headquarters—whoso locations are secret and camouflaged—have troops ready to turn out at a moment’s notice to deal with q>ny surprise attack.