R.A.F. CHECK ON MINE-LAYING

Press, Volume LXXV, Issue 22894, 15 December 1939, Page 11

R.A.F. CHECK ON MINE-LAYING

FLIGHTS OVER GERMAN ISLANDS HEAVILY-ARMED BOMBERS USED (Received December 14, 10.30 p.m.) LONDON, December 14. The Air Ministry states that on Tuesday night security patrols were successfully carried out over the islands of Sylt, Borkum, and Norderney, to interrupt the activity of minelaying aircraft operations. There was considerable anti-aircraft opposition. It is understood that the patrols began a week ago and are maintained throughout the night and during other periods favourable to mine-laying from the air. Th,e Germans admit the flight, but claim that the British were looking for the liner Bremen.

The Air Ministry reply to this statement is that the Royal Air Force “had other fish to fry.”

The patrols over Heligoland Bight are really an extension of Britain’s coastal defences to the enemy’s very doorstep. The Royal Air Force uses formidable bombers so heavily armed that they can meet any challenge from German fighters. The “beat” of the patrols extends 120 miles past Germany’s mine-lay-ing air bases and covers the approaches to Hamburg, Bremen, and Kiel.

,A Berlin communique states that British aeroplanes raided Heligoland Bight during the night. Anti-air-craft fire from the northern island and also -from German battleships prevented the raiders from reaching the North Sea coast. Two raiders over the Scottish east coast were driven off before the fighters contacted them. The raiders did not cross the coast. An air-raid alarm over south-east France this morning lasted 45 minutes.

Seven members of the British Parliament are serving in the Royal Air Force. Asked in the House of Commons whether an instance had occurred of the bombardment of any places in the British Isles by enemy submarines or surface vessels, the Parliamentary and Financial Secretary to the Admiralty (Mr G. H. Shakespeare) replied: “No.”