NORTH SEA ATTACK

Greymouth Evening Star, 14 October 1939, Page 8

NORTH SEA ATTACK

fT * GERMAN LOSSES ADMITTED. [BRITISH OFFICIAL WIRELESS. I (Recd. October 14, 11.15 a.m.) RUGBY, October 13. The Admiralty announces that the German Information Service has now admitted that after the attack on the British naval forces in the North Sea, on Monday, four of their planes fell into the sea, and two made forced landings on Danish territory. BOMBERS FAIL TO SCORE. LONDON, October 13. It is now learned that the recent North Sea action lasted for eight hours. The German bombers were coming .in relays, but failed to score a single hit. Their casualties are not known, but it is believed that at least six were brought down. Despite the Germans’ persistent claims that they hit an aircraft-car-rier, it can be definitely stated that no warship was touched by air attack since the outbreak of war. It. can also be stated that there is no confirmation that an enemy submarine was sighted in the Pacific. It is learned that all German merchantmen were ordered before the war to scuttle their ships, if there was any danger of capture. FOUR AIRMEN RESCUED. COPENHAGEN, October 13. Four German airmen landed from a Danish steamer, which picked them up in the North Sea. They explained that they had made a forced landing, after being “damaged.” They now ask to be released, because they were rescued outside territorial waters. German naval officers, broadcasting from Kiel, stated that destroyers are now carrying out raids in the North Sea, in place of submarines. So far, three raiding expeditions have been made against contraband commerce.

AIR DOMINATION DENIED. LONDON, October 13. British naval advices give the lie to German claims that Germany dominates by- air the North Sea, in which convoys are running like clockwork, and the fishing fleets are operating normally. It is believed that the claims are a deliberate attempt, firstly, to stay up the German internal morale; secondly, to impress neutrals with the might of the German air arm; and thirdly, to lure the Royal Navy to make dangerous sallies.