AID-RAID WARNINGS

Greymouth Evening Star, 18 November 1939, Page 7

AID-RAID WARNINGS

SOUNDED IN ENGLAND

ENEMY CRAFT DRIVEN OFF . [BRITISH OFFICIAL WIRELESS.] (Reed. November 18, 10.40 a.m.) RUGBY, November 17. The Air Ministry and the Ministry for Security announced, this afternoon: “Air-raid warnings in South Lancashire, Cheshire, and North Wales were given shortly after 11 a.m. to-day, when an enemy aircraft, apparently a Heinkel reconnaissance plane, was detected by the R.A.F. Observer Corps. Anti-aircraft guns were in action near Manchester and Merseyside, where British fighters went up and drove away the enemy aircraft. No bombs were dropped. The “Raiders Passed” signal was given after a few minutes. Enemy aircraft were also reported near the Shetlands, this morning. RECONNAISSANCE ACTIVITY. LITTLE RESULT ACHIEVED. (Received November 18, 12.30 p.m.) LONDON, November 17. German reconnaissance ’planes were very active to-day, flying over English, French, Swiss, Dutch, and Belgian territory. They were detected in all instances, and were met by brisk anti-aircraft fire. They were pursued by fighters, and were forced to retreat without accomplishing anything of material value. Nazi raiders are still persisting in lone visits to the Shetlands, the reasons for which are obscure. The first appearance during the war of enemy planes over England brought the British defences swiftly into action. Fighters topk off and chased the raiders through grey skies, and rain. Planes were reported over Lancashire, Cheshire, Merseyside, and North Wales. Air-raid warnings were sounded in thirteen towns. One big black machine was sighted over Lancashire and Cheshire, flying at a height of 4000 feet. It circle four times, and raced away to the south, as shells burst nearby and three fighters streaked into the sky. Scores of people stood in the streets in North Wales. The warning was received during the busiest shopping period. An unidentified plane was seen flying at a height of 600 feet, and then headed towards the sea. ' R.A.F. PLANES INTERNED. LANDINGS IN BELGIUM. (Recd. November 18, 11 a.m.) BRUSSELS, November 17. Several Royal Air Force planes landed on Belgian territory on November 14. The pilots thought that they were over France. A British bomber landed on November 16, between Ghent and Courtrai. The three members of the crew were interned ' ANTI-BRITISH LEAFLETS ZURICH, November 17. An unidentified plane flew over Basle this morning., dropping anti- British leaflets printed in French. It later returned and scattered leaflets south of Zurich.