R.A.F. Bombs German Fleet

Auckland Star, Volume LXX, Issue 209, 5 September 1939, Page 7

R.A.F. Bombs German Fleet

RAID SUCCEEDS

Millions Of Leaflets Dropped In Country

GESTAPO ACTIVE

(United Press Association—Received 1 p.m.) LONDON, September 4.

An official announcement, states the United Press Association, says that British 'planes bombarded the German Fleet at Wilhelmshaven.

The communique adds that several direct hits were scored, severely damaging two battleships. "Our Air Force suffered some casualties."

A New York message says a German short-wave radio station asserts that five of twelve British 'planes attacking Wilhelmshaven and Cuxhaven were shot down by German anti-aircraft guns. The others escaped to the Dutch border.

It was announced earlier by the 8.8.C. that this afternoon bombers of the Royal Air Force carried out in unfavourable weather conditions successful raids on German vessels at Wilhelmshaven and at the entrance to the Kiel Canal. One of the ships was severely damaged by several direct hits by heavy bombs. Damage was also caused to two battleships lying alongside the mole.

The Ministry of Information has stated that on the night of Sunday-Monday the Royal Air Force carried out an extensive reconnaissance in northern and western Germany, says an Independent Cable Service message. More than 6,000,000 copies of a note to the German people were dropped over a wide area. An Amsterdam message says hundreds of 'planes dropped manifestoes informing the population of the present situation. When the machines reached Cologne the population fled to dugouts. The Gestapo endeavoured to seize all pamphlets. The Ministry added that the flights were made without enemy aircraft engaging the bombers.

A message from Amsterdam says it is now disclosed that the aeroplane flying over Holland yesterday mistook it for Germany and dropped leaflets printed in German explaining the war situation. "We are at war with the present Government, but not the German people," said the leaflets. "We do not believe you even know what is happening." A Berlin message says "propaganda aeroplanes" were reported to have been driven off the German territory where they were dropping leaflets last night. The Amsterdam correspondent of the Associated Press of Great Britain says the Netherlands radio station announced that German bombers had been sighted flying west over Netherlands territory.