Ambitious Air Attacks On British Ships

Northern Advocate, 30 January 1940, Page 5

Ambitious Air Attacks On British Ships

(Received 11.20 a.m.)

LONDON, January 29. THE MOST AMBITIOUS SERIES OF AIR ATTACKS ON BRITISH SHIPPING SINCE THE OUTBREAK OF THE WAR WAS LAUNCHED ON A STRETCH OF 400 MILES FROM THE RIVER TAY TO THE KENTISH COAST.

A raider dropped seven bombs near the British steamer Llamveru (49(i(> tons), without doing any damage.

Driven Off.

Tyneside fighters drove off another attacking the steamer Imperial Monarch (.5831 tons), drove a Heinkel bomber into the clouds over Tyneside and repeated the performance further south.

A bullet struck the fighter but did no damage. Other fighters stopped attacks on ships on the Yorkshire coast, including two defenceless light-ships. Raids were made on ships oft' the Kentish coast and four others at various points.

The Air Ministry announced that “enemy aircraft were reported off the North East Coast shortly after 9 a.m.” No Enemy Planes Cross Coast.

Warnings were sounded in several districts, the all-clear being given after an hour. Several R.A.F. fighters went up, and anti-aircraft guns opened fire in the Tyne district. No enemy aircraft crossed the coast. Fighters went up in pursuit of unidentified planes over the Shetlands. Air-raid warnings were sounded and the all-clear 40 minutes later.