RAIDER DOWNED

Evening Star, Issue 23497, 10 February 1940, Page 11

RAIDER DOWNED

TWO OTHERS DAMAGED UNSUCCESSFUL ATTACKS ON SHIPPING ENEMY ENGAGED BY R.A.F. PATROLS (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, February 9. (Received February 10, at 11.30 a.m.) One German raider was brought down and two others are believed to have been seriously damaged when they tried to attack shipping off the north-east coast this morning. They were engaged by R.A.F. fighter command patrols and naval anti-aircraft fire. One of them crashed near North Berwick at North Firth of Forth. Shortly befqre the crash fighter pilots on patrol in Spitfires far out to sea sighted another HeinkeJ climbing steeply toward the clouds. One of the fighter pilots flew into the clouds on the tail of the enemy. As soon as they emerged into a clear patch the German gunner opened fire. “ I saw red (lashes from the rear top gun,” said the Spitfire pilot, who was not hit. He fired a burst with his own eight guns before the Heinkel again disappeared into the thick clouds. After making sure that the enemy was not flying above the clouds he dropped below and continued his patrol. Almost at the same time, shortly after noon, two Heinkels were attacked by a patrol off the north-east coast. When sighted one was flying north and the other west. Before they reached the clouds a fighter pilot, turning from one to the other, managed to fire bursts of bullets into tioth. VESSELS BOMBED AND MACHINE' GUNNED NO DAMAGE DONE LONDON, February 9. (Received February 10, at 11.35 a.m.) The German plane which crashed close to North Berwick missed the telegraph wires and struck a fence. Large crowds on the seashore saw two Nazi planes bomb a vessel off the Scottish coast. ■ Another plane bombed and,, machine-gunned vessels on the English' coast. So far it is believed that no damage was done. A plane machine-gunned and bombed a fishing boat, but scored no hits. Fighters chased off .the enemy. TOLL OF MERCHANT SEAMEN OVER FOUR HUNDRED LIVES LOST LONDON, February 8. Sir Arthur Salter, a member of the Economic Advisory Council, said that to the end of January 431 merchant seamen had lost their lives and 235 were injured in action with the enemy. NEUTRAL WATERS BAN ON BELLIGERENT SUBMARINES RIO DE JANEIRO, February 8. The Interamerican Neutrality Committee recommended American republics to ban belligerent submarines in territorial waters, except if they need refuge because of the weather, or if they urgently need repairs, or for humanitarian reasons. It adds that if they are permitted entry they must navigate on the surface. SECRET SESSION FRENCH CHAMBER OF DEPUTIES PARIS, February 9. (Received February 10, at noon.) The Chamber of Deputies, on the motion of M. Blum, decided by 262 votes to 227 to hold a secret session. M. Daladier expressed the opinion that it would have more inconveniences than, advantages, but left the decision to the House. Strangers and Press then left the galleries. ELABORATE GESTAPO QUESTIONNAIRE DISCOVERED BY FREHGK POLICE PARIS, February 9. (Received February 10, at 12.30 p.m.) Before the decision to hold a secret session was reached, M. Daladier said there were still many spies being disclosed during searches by police, who found a Gestapo questionnaire to German agents in France asking the strength of the police force, who were M. Daladier’s friends and enemies, the attitude of the French people towards England, details of France’s Arab and coloured troops, and whether the Chamber had confidence in M. Daladier, and so forth.

LOYALTY AND SOLIDARITY LORD WILUNGDON'S NEW ZEALAND IMPRESSIONS SYDNEY, February 9. (Received February 10, at 8 u.m.) Lord WilHngdon, interviewed to-day, declared that New Zealand was inarching solidly hand in hand with the rest of the Empire in its war effort. The loyalty and solidarity he encountered in the Dominion were truly inspiring. He added that the next peace, terms must be settled in Berlin in order to impress the Germans with our fairness, but he hoped there would be no hard feeling against the German people.

GOST OF LIVING GOVERNMENT SUBSIDIES IN BRITAIN LONDON, February 8. In the House of Commons Sir John Simon said that the Government was subsidising the cost of living to the extent of £50,000,000 a year, and prevented a rise of 12 points in the food index. The subsidies included over £12,000,000 to keep the milk price from rising a penny a quart. Wheat and meat subsidies cost £480,000 and £320,000 a week respectively, and bacon £BO,OOO. NORWEGIAN DEFENCES SUBSTANTIAL APPROPRIATIONS OSLO, February 9. Parliament appropriated for defence expenditure in the second half of 193940 £11,000,000.