NAZI AIR RAIDS

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20186, 2 March 1940, Page 6

NAZI AIR RAIDS

CLAIMS DISCOUNTED FISHING CRAFT BOMBED NO KNOWN LOSSES CONVOY EFFECTIVE (Elnc. Tel. Copyright—United Press Assn.) (British Official Wireless.) Reed. 1.30 p.m. RUGBY. March 1. According to the Transocean News Service, the German Air Force undertook early this morning “several attacks on warships, convoys, and armed merchantmen.” The report continues: ‘‘Some ships [ with a large tonnage were sunk after being hit by bombs and others set on fire. One convoy was dispersed.” j Official quarters state that although | convoyed, certain unarmed fishing craft were attacked this morning by German aeroplanes. No damage was. inflicted on the convoy or the war-j ships, and, so far as is at 'present! ■known, no losses were suffered by the fishing boats. One 30ft. boat, the Courage, which was machine-gunned and had a bomb dropped within 50ft., suffered a broken silencer, and proved the accuracy of its name by resuming fishing after an hour in port. The German aeroplanes were chased away by British fighters, but contact was not established. It is thought that one neutral ship sailing alone may have been damaged or sunk by German raiders as an SOS was received from such a ship, but a lifeboat was unable to find her. An unescorted Norwegian steamer, the Brott. was accompanied into an east coast port to-day, having been bombed by German raiders. Official quarters express the opinion that attacks on these ships form the substance of the German wireless report.