GERMAN RAIDS ON ENGLAND ANDANIA SUNK BY U-BOAT

Press, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23053, 22 June 1940, Page 11

GERMAN RAIDS ON ENGLAND

ANDANIA SUNK BY U-BOAT

Industrial Areas Bombed DAMAGE SAID TO BE SLIGHT (UNITED PRESS ASSOCIATION —COPYRIGHT.) (Received June 21, 9.10 a.m.) LONDON, June 20. In raids-by German aeroplanes on England last night, eight persons were killed and 60 injured. Little material damage is reported. It is authoritatively slated that more than 100 bombers participated in last night’s raid on Britain, and dropped more bombs than on the previous night. The Germans changed their line of attack by bombing industrial areas. Certain industrial and factory buildings were damaged, but considering the number of bombs dropped the damage was slight. ’ An Air Ministry announcement shortly before midnight warned Britons of the approach of the raiders, which appeared in small waves, ine alarm lasted lor five hours. At some points, aeroplanes, flying high, were heard all night long, also the intermittent thuds of bombs. Residents in the north-eastern areas had the longest period in air raid shelters. Bombs were dropped regularly until the searchlights cross-fixed one bomber, while the ground defences put up a terrific barrage, after which British fighters took up the chase. A high-explosive bomb hit a house in northern England and killed a mother and daughter, and seriously injured the father. Two other houses were demolished. . At least three were killed m_ a north-east town, where seven were injured, including two babies. Tho force of the explosion lifted some men three f£ The Germans repeatedly divebombed, machine-gunned, and wrecked wooden huts, from which four labourers were taken to hospital. , The efficacy of an air-raid shelter was demonstrated near a south-east coast town, when five occupants of a house escaped unscathed through sheltering in a rough home-made dugout, when their house was destroyed. Bombers for the first time visited south Wales, where raid warnings were sounded. One person died from shock in a town where two others' were injuied. One of those killed was an air-raid warden, who was patrolling a road advising people to cover He is the first member of the A.R.P. ser vices to lose his life through enemy action.

AWARDS FOR BRAVERY

NEW ZEALAND PILOT RECEIVES D.F.C. (Received June 21. 7 p.m.) LONDON. June 20. Included in the latest list of three D.F.C. awards is the name of the New Zealander. Squadron Leader C. E. Kay. Squadron Leader Kay carried out a bombing attack in the face of heavy offensive fire and his bombs lit fires Which served as targets, for subsequent raids. The official citation of Squadron Leader Kay’s decoration said that he was the captain of an aircraft ordered to attack important targets in German forests during a night in June. In extremely dirricult conditions, and m the face of severe opposition, .he successfully bombed the objective, starting several fires which accurately guided 'other aircraft engaged in this sortie. He then descended to. a low altitude and attacked the woods with all his machine-guns. Squadron Leader Kay had conducted a number of operations m recent weeks and had shown daring, determination, and outstanding ability. A further list was again issued tonight of immediate awards for gallantry. made by the Commander-in-Chief of the British Expeditionary Force (General Lord Gortl, and among, the deeds of heroism recorded is that of Captain D. C. Baynes, who received the M.C. The official account says that Captain Baynes was commanding a company with a strength of three officers and 122 other ranks, which was guarding a depot and petrol dump at Saleux. About 11.30 a.m., the position was attacked by enemy tanks led by motorcyclists. , „ The attack was held until about 4 p.m., and a, number of casualties were inflicted on the enemy motor-cyclists, three of whom were shot by Captain Baynes himself at close range. At 4 p.m.. Captain Baynes, being entirely isolated and unsupported, decided to withdraw because of the increased enemy pressure. _ The enemy was then well round the flanks of his position. The withdrawal was carried out and after Q march of 50 miles across country Captain Baynes and 52 other ranks arrived at Formerie three days later ■with two wounded who had been conveyed in hand-carts most of the way.

IXDO-CIIIXA AND JAPAN

FRANCE AGREES TO DEMAND (Received June 21, 7 p.m.) TOKYO, June 20. It was officially stated that France had acceded to Japan’s demands that supplies of arms to China through Indo-China should cease. France had agreed to allow Japanese inspectors to enter IndoChina to ensure that the traffic is ended.

ITALIAN LOSSES OF AIRCRAFT

ENGAGEMENTS WITH R.A.F. RAIDS ON BASES IN EAST AFRICA (UKITED PRESS ASSOCIATION —COPYRIGHT.) (Received June 21, 10.20 aun.) LONDON, June 20. The Royal Air Force, operating off the Egyptian coast, is reported to have shot down three, and possibly five, Italian machines. In recent engagements the Italians have lost 15 machines in 24 hours. . During the first seven days after Italy’s entry into the war the Air Ministry reports that the Royal Air Force had brought down more than 50 Italian machines without loss. It was reported that the glow from fires started by Royal Air Force raids on Italian bases in East Africa could be seen 60 miles away across the Red Havas Agency reports from Algiers state that French troops in- North Africa contacted enemy troops on the Tunis-Libyan border. The French Air Force in Africa has been very active, successfully bombing Tripoli and Cagliari. Italian raids on French territory met with little success The ’ South African Air Force bombed and machine-gunned nine enemy aeroplanes dispersed round the Lavella aerodrome in Italian East Africa, destroying two and damaging three. They also shot down two others. Six enemy aeroplanes faere set on fire in Eritrea, making 15 Italian aircraft lost in the last 24 hours.

BRITISH MERCHANT CRUISER FRENCH AND ITALIAN , LOSSES (Received June 21, 1.30 p.m.) LONDON, June 20. It is officially announced that the armed merchant cruiser Andania was sunk by a U-boat. She was formerly a Cunard White Star liner, of 13,950 tons. Two members of the crew were injured, but there were no .other casualties. The crew landed at a British port. T . His Majesty’s trawler Juniper is overdue and must be considered lost. The Juniper operated_ in northern Norwegian waters. It is possible some members of the crew were taken prisoner. . The Greek steamer Makis (3546 tons) was mined off Sicily. The crew were saved. . . ... . The Max Wolf (6694 tons). Which is also a Greek steamer, was sunk by a bomb in a French harbour. It is officially announced from Algiers ■ that French patrol boats destroyed an Italian submarine. An Italian communique states that an Italian submarine torpedoed and sank a 2500-ton French destroyer.

SOUTH AFRICA AND WAR

HERTZOG PROPOSES WITHDRAWAL STRONG REPLY BY THE PRIME MINISTER (Received June 21,' 7 p.m.) CAPE TOWN, June 20. The Prime Minister of South Africa (General Smuts), described as dishonourable a written proposal from the Opposition leader (Geperal Hertzog) that South Africa “immediately take all necessary measures to withdraw from the war.” . _ General Hertzog, in a letter to General Smuts, protested “against the reckless risk to national freedom and senseless'sacrifice of Afrikander youth in a fruitless struggle.” General Hertzog demanded on behalf of Afrikanders an immediate withdrawal from the war. . , , . , He declared that a peaceful but determined- mass protest was now required against compulsion for the furtherance of the war effort, “in view of the present feeling that further compulsion may lead to far-reaching disturbances, for which the Government has to bear the responsibility. The Allied cause was doomed to failure after the capture of Paris.” General Smuts replied that Parliament had already decisively rejected this dishonourable proposal. If again submitted, it would suffer the same fate.

DUKE OF WINDSOR AT BARCELONA

LONDON, June 21. The Barcelona correspondent of the British United Press reports that the Duke and Duchess of Windsor have, arrived at Barcelona by car from France. It was authoritatively stated in London to-night that there is no truth in the ridiculous suggestion that an order has been made or is contemplated for the arrest of the Duke of Windsor. It is not a fact that he has already returned to this country, but all possible steps are being taken for his safety - and convenience. Loan for Purchase of Aircraft —The Governor of the Gold Coast, with the concurrence of the Legislative Council, has offered to the British Government, for the purchase of bomb- , ers or Spitfires, a loan of £500.000 free ■ of interest for the duration of the war. —London, June 20.