STOLE NAZI PUNE

Evening Star, Issue 24016, 15 October 1941, Page 8

STOLE NAZI PUNE

DUTCH AIRMEN LAND IN BRITAIN THRILLING ESCAPE FROM HOLLAND (British Official Wireless.) (Rec. 10.18 a.m.) RUGBY, Oct. 14. The safe lauding in Britain by Dutch airmen in a stolen Nazi aeroplane is told by the Netherlands Government information bureau. A twin-engined aircraft with German markings dived out of the clouds above Suffolk fields recently and circled, wheels down. Behind three Hurricanes roared, engines full out. There was a hidden machine gun post in a corner of the field, and a rattle of quick firing met the stranger, but it made a safe landing, though with bullet holes in many places. Two men clambered out hastily. They were dressed in grey-blue overalls, with helmets, and carried parachute, packs. English soldiers were running at them from all sides with Tommy guns and rifles ready. “ Don’t shoot, don’t shoot!” cried both men in English, “ we. are Dutch.” Soon afterwards their Dutch identity was established. Three hours before their arrival they had left Holland and flown the German aircraft from a Dutch aerodrome under the eyes of the German guards. The men are now serving, one as a pilot officer in the R.A.F., and the other with the Netherlands Government. There was a surprising sequence to this thrilling escape. Within 12 hours of the landing of these men a Fokker floatplane arrived in Britain piloted by a Dutchman who had never before flown a flying boat, but counting on luck and favourable wind had managed to bring the stolen German plane across to Britain.

' (AIR RAID CASUALTIES FIGURES FOR SEPTEMBER (British Official Wireless.) (Rec. 10,20 a.m.) RUGBY, Oct. 14. It is officially announced that the civilian casualties in the United Kingdam in September due to air raids was 217 killed or missing and believed killed and 269 injured and disabled in hospital. The details are: Killed or missing 87 men, 73 women, 45 children under 16, and 12 unclassified. Injured: 129 men, 111 women, and 29 children under 16. FOOD PRICES COST OF ESTABLISHMENT (British Official Wireless.) (Rec. 11.20 a.m.) RUGBY, Oct. 14. Replying in the House of Commons to a question, the Chancellor of the Exchequer (Sir Kingsley Wood) stated that the cost of establishing food prices in 1940-41 amounted to about £8,000,000. Tire estimate for 1941-42 was £109,000,000.