CLOSE TO ’FRISCO

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20635, 10 December 1941, Page 5

CLOSE TO ’FRISCO

ENEMY AIR FLEET WEST COAST STAND-TO TESTING OF AIR DEFENCES I Elec. Tel. Copyright—United Press Assn.) (Reed. Dec. 10, 11.40 a.m.) SAN FRANCISCO, Dec. 9. It was reported yesterday that a dramatic air raid was carried out by the United States Army as a surprise test on the west coast early in the evening. The story of the test was told in a series of cable flashes. The Columbia broadcasting system, New York, reported the presence ot an unidentified vessel and 50 unidentified planes approaching San Francisco. This resulted in the cessation of the Columbia broadcast system broadcast on the west coast. The sound of aeroplane motors was heard in down-town San Francisco. The police said thai aoout 50 planes, flying at a great height, were seen approaching the city. The police broadcast an alarm of the possibility of an air raid. Improvised air raid sirens sounded at 6.50 p.m., local time, when soldiers patrolled the streets and caused householders to extinguish lights. Street lights were also blacked out. It was thought the sound of the engines heard in the down-town area came from American interceptor planes. Raid Believed Imminent In Vancouver the Western Air Command said last night that an attack by Japanese forces in the Pacific north-west was imminent. The authorities in Victoria ordered a complete black-out in the coastal areas of British Columbia and issued orders for an A.R.P. alert. All traffic in Victoria streets was suspended. Motorists and pedestrians were ordered to proceed home. The all-clear later sounded in San Francisco. No planes appeared. This aroused the belief that it was a test of the west coast’s defences. High Washington officials said they had not received any report of an imminent offensive action on the west coast. The army announced that the west coast alarm was merely a surprise test. The Army 4th Interceptor Command to-night reported that two squadrons of unidentified planes had approached within 21 miles ot San Francisco. “Was Actual Attack” General Ryan said: “This was ar. actual attack. There were hostile planes off shore. Then they turneo around. Two strong squadrons were picked up by detectors approaching the Golden Gate. They moved north to Eureka and then south toward Monterey, about 60 planes which a! one time were within 20 miles of San Francisco, all the time flying at & very great height. The alarm lasted almost two and a-half hours before the planes turned off to seaward, flying toward the south-west.” General Ryan later added: “The emergency is over now. The allclear signal has been given. The navy is attempting to locate and give battle to the hostile planes.” The all-clear after a further alarm sounded at 3.27 a.m., local time. Officials are not in agreement as to whether the planes that swarmed over the city were friends or enemies. Washington authorities stated that the alarms were only tests, but General Ryan insisted that the unidentified planes were not United States craft and that they had approached the Golden Gate and been driven back to the sea. Tremendous Confusion The alarm was broadcast by the police at General Ryan's orders. It produced tremendous confusion. Twice the police advised that the air raid alarm had been called off. Twice General Ryan insisted on its continuance. There is no immediate indication as to whether the raiders again flew over the strategic area or had been intercepted by United States planes. General Ryan refused to disclose what may have occurred during the alarm which lasted nearly an hour. The Interception and repulse of the raiders was a general source of gratification, but this was tempered by the fact that the planes may have been on a reconnaissance mission and by the realisation of the extremely audacious strategy of the Japanese who would risk an all-or-nothing bid for supremacy. The California area, with vast aircraft plants and shipyards offered a tempting cluster of targets. Informed quarters agreed on this, but the shrewdest guess was that the Japanese hoped to strike a surprise blow at one. of the major naval bases with the idea of inflicting further damage to the fleet’s operating facilities ashore.