ATTACK ON CONVOY

Grey River Argus, 23 October 1939, Page 7

ATTACK ON CONVOY

BY ENEMY PLANES Four of Them Downed * [Aust. & N.Z. Cable Assn. J (Received October 22, 7 p.m.) LONDON, October 21. An Air Ministry bulletin states: A North Sea convoy sighted enemy aircraft this morning. British fighter aircraft, responding to a signal, was dispatched to the scene. The enemymade off. Enemy aircraft attacked the convoy in the afternoon. The escort vessels opened fire, and British fighters inflicted casualties on the enemy. LONDON, October 22. It is now ascertained that twelve aircraft took part in the attack on the convoy. They were engaged by fighters and escort vessels, and at least three enemy aeroplanes were brought down. A fourth enemy machine was forced on to the sea, after intensive fire. All reports are not yet Io hand. British aircraft sustained

no casualties. No ship of the convoy or the escort was damaged. GERMAN PLANES HUNTED. LONDON, October 21. The Air Ministry 7 and the Ministry of Home Security', announced this afternoon: "Two unidentified aircraft were observed approaching the East Coast soon after 2 p.m. Fighter aircraft were sent to intercept, and air raid warnings were sounded in Hull and Grimsby areas about 2.3'1. The “all clear” signal was given in both areas about half an hour later.” German Air Raiders SUGGESTED USE OF HOLLAND AS BASE. (Received October 22, 7.30 p.m.) NEW YORK, October 21. In a despatch to the “New York Times” from a London correspondent “Augur” states: The Netherlands, before the end of this year, may be the object, of strong German pressure, and may- be menaced with direct invasion. 'Die merciless Allied antisubmarine campaign obliges Herr Hitler to think in terms of increased aerial warfare, but he will be faced with a prospect of Allied aerial predominance in twelve months’ time. Hence, he must find a swift, solution. If the Germans were to be able to cross, or establish air fields in Holland, then the problem of carrying on the aeriaT attack against the British would be simplified. There also would be thus created a dilemma for Britain, which would have either to bomb the innocent Dutch, or to allow the Gorman air bases immunity from military action. An invasion of the Netherlands would be preferable to an invasion of Belgium, because France cannot cross neutral Belgium to the aid of the Net hol - la nds.