Mines Sown By Seaplane

Manawatu Times, Volume 64, Issue 279, 25 November 1939, Page 7

Mines Sown By Seaplane

Field Laid in Thames Estuary Parachute Device Being Used by Nazi Force New High-explosive Miniature Type United Press Assn —By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright. LONDON, Nov. 23. It is revealed that German planes, flying low over the Thames Estuary just before the raid last night, dropped mines by means of parachutes. It is understood that the mines were magnetic. It is believed that German seaplanes have also been experimenting with the indiscriminate sowing of highly explosive miniature mines at sea. The seaplanes are abl? to carry a number of these. British experts are devising means of combating the menace. Crews of tugboats on the Thames were eye-witnesses of the dropping of mines by parachutes. One said: “I was staggerc to see a big German seaplane only 50 feet over the water about 100 yards from the shore. I saw something splash in the water as it roared past. The machine was so close that I saw the silhouette of men’s heads against a dim light burning in the cockpit. A machine-gun opened up as it passed.” , Others described how objects like open umbrellas drifted down slowly. They were clearly visible in the moonlight. One floated down the fairway and was exploded by a rifle. The Parliamentary Secretary the Admiralty, Mr. Shake speare, informed the House of Commons that 35 German mines had been washed ashore ou the British coast in the past fortnight- , . ' . . . Reference to Germany’s mine-laying policy was made in a broadcast speech last night by the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Sir John Simon. He said: “You have been reading in your newspapers of this latest abomination of German savagery the magnetic mine, secretly deposited in the channels of the sea in order to blow up without warning neutral and British shipping alike and to destroy the innocent lives of women and children and unarmed men. This is a breach of the rules of war which Germany only two months ago expressly promised to obey. “By this ruthless brutality,” said Sir John, “the enemy hopes to sap the strength of our island fortress and to cut off our supplies. “Meanwhile, the brave crews of our minesweepers are risking danger for their country’s sake. Our incomparable Navy is on watch, our Air Foree keeps ceaseless vigil, our Mercantile Marine continues its perpetual service, and all that skill and science can devise is devoted to meeting the new danger. We are confident that their efforts will be successful. ’