Air Raids On Ships Not War, But Murder—P.M.

Northern Advocate, 9 February 1940, Page 5

Air Raids On Ships Not War, But Murder—P.M.

(Received 2 p.m.) RUGBY. February 8

Reviewing in the House of Commons happenings in the war theatres, the Prime Minister (Mr. Chamberlain) said there was no change in the military situation on the Western Front. In the air. winter conditions had exposed men and material to the sternc-st test, which had been borne unflinchingly. Mr. Chamberlain mentioned the very skilful combined operation by which naval patrol vessels and a E.A.F. flyingboat succeeded in destroying a submarine which ventured to attack a convoy. Air Attacks on Ships. German air attacks on British and neutral ships of increased intensity were claimed by the enemy as a great victory in the war against British shipping. These raids were generally carried out on days when low and thick clouds covered the shipping areas. They were made by aeroplanes singly or in pairs at points widely separated, but it appeared that instructions had been given enemy pilots to do their utmost to avoid contact with British defences. Chance for Our Fighters. “Bui on February 3 our fighters were given an opportunity. "The German wireiess took the unusual course of admitting that three enemy fnreraft out of a comparatively small number operating had been lost, and we know that at least one other was so badly damaged that it probabiy was unable to reach its base." The Prime Minister insisted that the | successes claimed by Germany for this method of attack bore no relation to the facts. Callous Brutality. He went on to condemn the callous brutality of the enemy, and dwelt, in particular, on the attack on a lightship. "The only survivor of the crew of eight tells the story in these words: “ ‘We were not alarmed, because on previous occasions German pilots waved to us and left us alone, but on this occasion a bomber dived and suddenly sprayed the deck , with machine-gun bullets and later dropped nine bombs, the last of which hit the ship.’ "The dead bodies of seven of the defenceless crew were found next morning on the seashore. Not War, But Murder. "The killing of fishermen, merchant seamen and lightship crews in the circumstances I have related is not war but murder," declared the Prime Minister. Mr. Chamberlain concluded: “No one who studies figures can doubt the determination of the British Empire to throw all its resources into the fight against the rule of aggression. “We cannot tell how long the fight may last, nor what stern hardships may yet await us. but we have no reason to be dissatisfied with the opening phases of the war, and we face the future with calm determination and unshaken confidence."