Britain’s Quiet Day

Northern Advocate, 26 May 1941, Page 5

Britain’s Quiet Day

[British Official Wireless] (Rec. noon). RUGBY, May 25. The Air Ministry and Ministry for Home Security communique states that during the day a few enemy aircraft, operating singly, were flown over the country. Up to 7.30 p.m. there had been no reports of any bombs having been dropped. Later advices this afternoon stated that another Messerschmitt 110 had been shot down into the sea by British fighters. This makes two Messerschmitt 110 s destroyed today.

In the fighting around Malemi British bombers have destroyed at least 10 German troop-carriers and damaged others, while long-range fighters have accounted for another four.

Airmen Return To Fray

British, airmen who got away from Crete with their aeroplanes when the Royal Air Force withdrew are carrying on the fight from the Western Desert, says the Associated Press correspondent. A pilot, one of the last to leave, who took off in a damaged fighter from an air field which the Germans had already bombed, said: “As New Zealanders on the edge of the field fought parachutists, I circled over the battle and machine-gunned the Germans, killing some and dispersing others. When I had my last glimpse of the New Zealanders they were rapidly getting the situation in hand.”

Disregarded Losses

The pilot added that the Germans were landing troops from the air with cynical disregard of losses. Some fell in the sea, and others were tangled in trees and some of them were shot as they struggled like apes among the branches.

Many broke legs in the craggy ravines, and others were blown into snowdrifts on mountain peaks. Attempts to land aeroplanes and gliders on the beaches had been disastrous, because all the beaches were well guarded by Australian patrols, which made short work of the enemy. It was doubtful if half the parachutists dropped ever got into com-

bat. One of the British reconnaissance pilots who looked down on Crete on Wednesday gave a graphic picture. He found German aeroplanes bombing, parachuting and landing. Under them lay the New Zealanders, each platoon fighting its own battle amid the overwhelming crash and roar of bomb bursts and machine-gun fire.

British Bombers Active

The Royal Air Force Middle East communique states that aircraft of the Royal Air Force continued to deliver heavy attacks on enemy positions and aircraft in Crete.

During the night of May 23-24, heavy bombers attacked the aerodrome at Malemi, and destroyed one large aircraft and started a number of big fires.

In a daylight raid on the same aerodrome, our bombers destroyed at least one enemy aircraft and damaged a number of others.

Yesterday Royal Air Force fighters attacked enemy transport aircraft which were landing troops in. the Malemi area. One of our fighters was shot down during an engagement with escorting Messerschmitts.

Greek King Goes to Egypt It is officially announced from Cairo that King George of Greece and the Greek Government have left Crete for Egypt in order not to handicap military operations. Indiscriminate Bombings Typical German frightfulness dominates the latest news of recent activities In Crete. The ruthless bombing of the towns followed faithfully the procedure against larger European cities. There were only two short breaks in the German mass bombing of Canea, Rethymno and Candia yesterday afternoon. Heinkels pounded the town with heavy bombs. The attack centred on the shopping and residential areas, where narrow streets and old buildings made easy targets. The Germans did not attempt ,to select military objectives, but dropped bombs in rows across the centre of the town. Big fires raged last night, but the casualties are light because the inhabitants sheltered in deep caves.