RUN THE GAUNTLET

Manawatu Standard, Volume LX, Issue 97, 23 March 1940, Page 8

RUN THE GAUNTLET

RAIDING BRITISH ’PLANES. SUCCESS CONFIRMED. (United Press Association —B.y Electric Telegraph.—Copy rigid.) (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, March 20. As soon >as the last of the British Iwmbers landed back in England at 6.30 this morning from the raid on Sylt two aircraft took off on a reconnaissance to view the extent of the damage inflicted on the seaplane base at Hornuni. There were patches of cloud over Sylt, but- the sky was fairly clear over Hornum. Fire from the shore batteries followed. the aircraft as they flew over the island and in certain areas it was intense. Two enemy fighters, both Messerselunitt 109’s, were also encountered, but they were unable to intercept the British aircraft which were able to make their observations of the island, confirming the success of the operation, and return to their bases. Details have now been received to show that the raid was carried out with remarkable smoothness and precision. The bombing was from various heights despite the intense anti-aircraft gunfire. Searchlights all round the target were in action, but only' a few of the bombers were caught "in the beams. At one stage one British aircraft bad onlv a single searchlight to contend with. Those which preceded it appeared to have “put out” the others. In the hangar areas of the seaplane base a large number of bombs were dropped. Smoke was seen rising from the ground in this vicinity by some of the later arrivals. The Air Minister (Sir Kingsley Wood), in the House of Commons, said that the weather conditions over the target were clear. There was moonlight during the early part of the raid, gradually clouding over towards the morning. Both the high and low altitude attacks were earned out and many tons of high explosive and incendiary bombs were dropped. German messages alleged that some British aircraft engaged in the raid dropped bombs on the Danish seaboard. These reports are unconfirmed in London, and it is understood that no official intimation bad been received from Denmark that such an incident occurred. Should such intimation bo received and it is proved British aircraft were responsible, it may be confidently assumed that Britain will not only express deep regret but also undertake full responsibility for compensation for any damage caused.