TRAWLER’S FEAT

Dominion, Volume 33, Issue 284, 26 August 1940, Page 7

TRAWLER’S FEAT

Two Enemy Bombers Shot Down OTHERS DAMAGED German Machine-gunning’ Fails (By Telegraph—Press Assn-—Copyright.) (Received August 25, 8 p.m.) RUGBY, August 24. An Admiralty communique states that when the trawler Arctic . Trapper was attacked by enemy aircraft this afternoon she shot down two enemy bombers into the sea and probably damaged two others. The trawler was machine-gunned by enemy fighters, which were escorting a' force of German bombers. The first shell burst between two enemy bombers, and it is probable that the aircraft received damage. The second shell scored a direct hit on another bomber, which crashed into the sea. The third shell burst very close to another bomber, which was seen to turn over and come down in the sea. There were no casualties in the Arctic Trapper.

MINESWEEPER SUNK

Damaged In Air Attack

(British Oiiicial Wireless.) RUGBY, August 24. The Admiralty announce that tiff minesweeper trawler Resparko sustained. damage a.s the result of an enemy air attack, and subsequently sank. There was no loss of life.

GERMAN CLAIM

LONDON, August 23.

The German news agency suited that a Junkers bomber sank a 15,00bton merchantman entering the Moray Firth last night.

THE ARANDORA STAR

Canadian Destroyer’s Part In Rescue (British Official Wireless.) (Received August 25, 7.5 p.m.) RUGBY, August 24. Many survivors of the Arandora Star, who were themselves going to Canada, owe their lives to the speeu with which the Canadian destroyer St. Laurent raced to the scene. The Arandora Star, which was taking Ger man and Italian internees to Canada, was torpedoed by a U-boat without warning on June 2 and the St. Lauren., which was at sea off the west coast o. Scotland, was ordered to proceed to the rescue.

Guided by a Sunderland flying-boat, which rendered the greatest assistance during the rescue, the Canadian destroyer found ten lifeboats crowded with survivors and the sea littered for two or three miles with rafts, ami light wreckage, to which were clinging many other survivors. The destroyer came to a standstill in the middle of the wreckage area and sent out all her lifeboats. Those with the boats of the Arandora Star, which were supplied with fresh crews, succeeded, in embarking S5O .survivors. Food and warm drinks were provided, for them in the destroyer. Carrying and feeding such a number of persons in a ship the size of a destroyer was in itself a considerable feat, but it was made easier by the conduct of many of the survivors, who gave every assistance within then power, especially two doctors, out German and the other Austrian, who worked throughout the night: attending to the injured and distressed.

TORPEDOED DUTCH SHIP REACHES PORT

(Received August 25, 7.5 p.m. > LISBON, August 24. The Dutch steamer Hermes has arrived holed. The captain said the vessel was torpedoed by a submarine 300 miles from the Portuguese coast when going to England.

BURMESE WAR FUND

Fighter Squadron For

Britain (British Official Wireless.) (Received August 25, 7 p.m.) RUGBY. August 23. 'The Burma war donations fund, which includes gifts from all the committees in Burma, amounted at the middle of August to £125,000. At the request of subscribers the fund will be specially 7 devoted to the provision and upkeep of a squadron of fighter aeroplanes. A squadron will be formed bearing the name Burma Squadron and the aircraft allotted to it will bear the national emblem of Burma—a peacock in bis pride. In addition, contributions to the British Government for general purposes connected with’ the war from the rulers and peoples of the individual Shan States has reached a total of £20.000. In all. the contributions from various donors in Burma amount to well over £200.000.

DE GAULLE’S ARMY

Increasing Importance Recognized (British Official Wireless.) (Received August 25, 7.5 p.m.) RUGBY, August 24. The King inspected French troop? belonging to tiie a rmy of free French ■ men, Jed bv General de Gaulle. The ceremony took place in a southern area. The King's visit comes at a momem. when, after a period for organization, the increasing importance of these forces, which have been steadily augmented, is widely recognized. They enjoy the support, of influential French circles in the United States ami Latin America as well as elsewhere. They include a small bul growing air force which has already actively participated alongside the R.A.F.'in raids over Germany. General de Gaulle has been joined in London by Colonel Larminat, who was Chief of the General Staff of the French Army in the Middle East ami who reported on the requirements < l! the French troops who left. Syria for Egypt, where they will form a com batant unit. .