SEA ATTACKS

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20141, 10 January 1940, Page 7

SEA ATTACKS

NAZI RAIDERS AERIAL BOMBS DEFENCELESS VESSELS BRITISH CASUALTIES LIGHTHOUSE SERVICECREW OF TANKER (Elec. Tel. Copyright—United Press Assn.) (Freed. Jan. 10, 11.40 a.m.) LONDON, Jan. 9. The Air Ministry states that German aircraft attacked five ships off the east coast. British fighters were unable to make contact owing to bad visibility. The enemy attacked under cover of a mist with bombs and machine-guns. Two of the ships attacked were merchantmen off the east coast of Scotland. Two other merchantmen were further south. Two Heinkels attacked a fifth ship. A number of bombs were dropped and the ship was damaged. This vessel is believed to be a lighthouse service ship. The bombers disappeared shortly before British planes arrived on the scene. Forty were aboard the lighthouse ship and it is believed that 32 were wounded, of whom one was injured fatally. Planes Over Forth Unidentified planes subsequently flew over the' Firtir of ' Forth at a great height. The tanker British Liberty was sunk, believedly as the result of a mine explosion in the North Sea. Twenty 'members of the crew, including the captain, are missing. It is believed they died in attempting to salvage the ship. A message from Amsterdam states that the Dutch cargo boat, Truida, was sunk by a mine in the North Sea. The crew of four were picked up. Sinkings due to enemy action during the week ended on January 6 numbered five, representing a total tonnage of 11,143. Two of these five ships were British, namely the Boxhill, of 5677 tons, and the Ena of 81 tons, and three were neutral, namely the Luna (Norwegian) of 959 tons, the Lars Magnus Trozelli (Swedish) of 1951 tons, and the Svarton (Swedish) of 2475 tons.

Up to date 5911 British, Allied and neutral ships have been convoyed. Of these 12 ships, representing .2 per cent of the total number, have been lost by enemy action whilst in convoy. It is officially stated that enemy bombs hit British warships only three times throughout the war.