FLOATING MINE MENACE

Evening Star, Issue 25674, 24 December 1945, Page 8

FLOATING MINE MENACE

ALL AVAILABLE SWEEPERS OUT AFTERMATH OF CALES LONDON,- December 21. Every available .British and Allied mine sweeper is Being mobilised to fight hundreds of mines which have been- driven by recent- gales through the English Channel from the minefields, which, during the-war, guarded the south-east coast. The 1 Daily Mail says the-Admiralty late to-day ordered the mobilisation to meet the worst menace 'to the shores of the United' Kingdom \since V.E.-Day. - ' Mine sweeper escorts raced to guide two large American troopships carrying 6,000 men through the straits trt Bremerhaven. Mine-patrols cordoned off the straits. Every hour brings fresh evidence of - the break-up of & large minefield. All ships steaming have been: cautiously watching■ for* mine packs: . ' ~ Towns on the Anglo-French coast throughout the day and night were shaken by explosions as naval sweepers destroyed, mine after mine. _ Escort naval motor launches and frigates will be given to a.ll troopships steaming through. “ mine alley ” _ oft the Kent coast, where scores of mines released during the recent gale's'are , drifting,- says the _ ‘ Evening News. The wind is still rising. Extra lookouts have • been posted on all ■ ships. Wide-flung sweeper patrols are chasing and destroying mines, and coastal towns are being shaken by explosioii^. A. large mine’was driven ashore opposite Walmer Castle,- the official residence of ’Mr Churchill,as Lord Warden of the Cinque Ports. Efforts are being made to secure-i.it before high water. Another big mine is 200 yards from the beach and drifting towards the sea defence works which are being built at Sandgate to protect' the main coast, road. Coastguards are. patrolling ready for, instant action jf , it drifts inshore. . - „ A naval officer; was killed while dealing with a mine near Bognor Regis. The force of the explosion was felt 10 miles inland.