Convoy Of Enemy Ships Sighted In. Channel

Northern Advocate, 13 September 1940, Page 5

Convoy Of Enemy Ships Sighted In. Channel

LONDON, September 12

A convoy of at least 12 fairly large enemy ships was sighted this afternoon in the Channel near Cape Gris Nez on the way to Boulogne. They put up a smokescreen and also were covered by a dive-bombing attack against Dover, which was also shelled by guns mounted on the French line.

British guns replied, after which Royal Air Force machines disappeared towards the Franco-Belgian coastlie.

It is believed they were dropping bombs east of Calais.

The long-range duel across . the Channel continued after dark, interspersed with the chattering of the defences against lone German fighters and dive bombers. It was Dover’s most severe shell-

ing of the war, and some people

were killed and others wounded. It is believed that less than a dozen persons were killed at Dover in yesterday’s bombing and shelling. Rescue squads are still digging in the debris.

Those killed include a three-months-old baby, a sentry and also an aircraftsman who was pinned under the wreckage for hours.

He repeatedly assured the rescuers, “I am all right.” He died when freed.

Draw Up Home Guard

Plan For Australia

(Received 10 a.m.) CANBERRA, This Day,

A conference of police commissioners and officials today drew up a plan for the creation of a Home Guard, who would be required to assist the police at a time of emergency, also to deal with subversive influences in the Commonwealth, and will recommend the Federal Government to adopt it.