SEA FIGHT OFF ZEEBRUGGE

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2727, 23 March 1916, Page 5

SEA FIGHT OFF ZEEBRUGGE

, DESTROYERS IN ACTION

GERMANS TURN TAIL

SHORT RUNNING FIGHT

The High Commissioner reports:— London, March 21, 1.50 p.m. '"The Admiralty announces that four British destroyers yesterday morning sighted three German destroyers off tho Belgian coast. Tho latter turned and ran for Zeebrugge, chased by our destroyers.

"Shots were exchanged during a short running fight, and two of the enemy's boats were/observed to be hit.

"Our casualties' were . four men wounded."

A BY-PRODUCT OF THE AIR VISITATION. (Iteo. March. 22, 11.40 p.m.)

Rotterdam, March 22.

The combined air fleet bombardment reduced Zeebrugge Harbour to chaos. Two Gorman , submarines escaped promptly by submerging, while three torpedo boats fled seawards and manoeuvred through the minefield, continually harassed by the airmen, who forced them into the open water, where the British destroyers hunted them back. The air bombs severely damaged the Solvay works and several mine-layers in the harbour. WHAT THE GERMANS SAY. By Telegraph—Press Association-Copyright Amsterdam, March 21. A German communique states:— Three of our torpedo boats had a successful engagement with five British destroyers off the Flemish Coast. The enemy was hit several times, and broke off the. fight and retired at full speed. We suffered 'trifling damage.

BRITISH SUBMARINES IN THE

CATTEGAT

SENSATION IN SWEDEN

Copenhagen, March 21. The arrival of British submarines in the Southern Cattegat (between Jutland and Sweden) lias caused a sensation in Sweden. One off Anhalt today examined Swedish steamer's papers. Largo flotillas' of German torpedo boats traversed the Sound northwards to-day.

THE RETIREMENT OF VON TIRPITZ

GERMAN NEWSPAPER'S UNEASY

.. COMMENT. ("Times" and' Sydney "Sun" Services.)

London, March 21. The "Cologne Gazette" significantly admits that Admiral von Tirpitz's re- 1 tirement is a serious war crisis, and is oausing much national excitement and anxiety. THE TUBANTIA INCIDENT BOLIVIAN MINISTER ON BOARD. ("Times" and Sydney "Sun" Services.) London, March 21. The Bolivian Minister at Berlin (Dr. Vega) was returning homo by the Dutch steamer Tubantia. He was saved, with his wife and threo daughters, but lost uninsured property worth £12,000. GEMANyTsEA POLICY • ACCORDING TO HERB- BALLIN. . (Rec. March 22, 11.40 p.m.) Amsterdam, March 22. It is reported that Herr Ballin (the German shipping magnate) informed the directors of the Holland-Amerika Line that Germany's policy was to prevent all traific between the United Kingdom and European countries, whether neutral or not.