MINES DROPPED BY PARACHUTE

Press, Volume LXXV, Issue 22877, 25 November 1939, Page 13

MINES DROPPED BY PARACHUTE

German Activities Revealed

SIR JOHN SIMON’S REFERENCE (UNITED PEES 3 ASSOCIATION—COPTEIGHT.) (Received November 24, 7.10 p.m.) LONDON, November 23. It is revealed that German aeroplanes flying low oyer the Thames Estuary just before the raid last night dropped mines by means of parachutes. It is understood that the mines were magnetic. It is believed that German seaplanes have also, been experimenting with the indiscriminate sowing of highly explosive miniature mines at sea. The seaplanes are able to carry a number of these. \ British experts are now devising a mians of combating the new menace. The crews of tugboats on the Thames witnessed the dropping of mines by parachutes. One man said: “I was staggered to see a big German seaplane, only 50 feet over the water, about 100 yards from the shore. I saw something splash in the water as it roared past. The machine was so close that I saw the silhouette of the men’s heads against a dim light burning in the cockpit. A machine-gun opened up as the raider passed.” Others described objects like open umbrellas which drifted down slowly and which were clearly visible in the moonlight. One floated down the fairway and was exploded by rifle fire. In parts of the Thames Estuary, where air raid warnings were sounded last night, the wardens had the greatest difficulty to persuade people to take cover, although a machine-gun battle was raging directly overhead. Searchlights raking the sky revealed two silvery coloured seaplanes 3000 feet up. An eye-witness said that the seaplanes directed their fire down the searchlight beams. Then the anti-aircraft guns tossed them about the sky like corks. The Air Ministry states that only one German aeroplane has flown near London. It was shot down by British fighters and the crew were taken prisoner. The second German aeroplane was driven off.

The Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty (Mr G. H. Shakespeare) informed the House of Commons that 15 German mines had

been washed ashore on the British coast in the last fortnight. « Reference to Germany’s minelaying policy was made in a broad-, cast speech by the Chancellor of the Exchequer (Sir John Simon). “You have been reading in your newspapers of this latest abomination of German savagery—a magnetic mine secretly deposited in channels of the sea in order to blow up, -without warning, neutral' and British shipping alike, and to destroy the innocent lives of women and children and unarmed men,” said the Chancellor. “This is a breach of the rules of war which Germany, only two months ago, had expressly promised to obey. By this ruthless brutality the enemy hopes to sap the strength of our island fortress, and to cut off our supplies. “Meanwhile, the brave crews of our minesweepers are risking danger for their country’s sake. Our incomparable Navy is on the watch, the Air Force, keeps ceaseless vigil, the mercantile marine continues its perpetual service, and all that skill and science can' devise is devoted to meeting the new danger. We are confident that their efforts will be successful.^ Neutral correspondents in Berlin report that the German authorities consider they are perfectly entitled to lay mines on the trade routes, even though this is forbidden under The Hague Convention. The Germans maintain that this is a logical answer to the British convoy system and the arming of merchant ships which, they say, is illegal. The right to convoy has never been questioned, however, while mines and other methods of, attack on merchant shipping are illegal. -Defensive armament in no way alters the status of a merchantman. , The Berlin correspondent of the “New York Times” says: “Although Germany is blaming Britain for the sinking of neutral ships The Hague Mine Agreement of 1907, giving the right to lay mines before war ports without announcing the action, is supplying propaganda ammunition. Germany is claiming to be observing the agreement, but contends that the British coast is not a regular commercial route but a military zone into which neutrals are forced by British minefields.”.

POST RESIGNED BY EARL WINTERTON (Received November 24, 7.5 p.m.) LONDON, November 23. Earl Wintertbn has resigned from the position of Paymaster-General for private reasons.