SHIPS ESCAPE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23486, 25 October 1939, Page 9

SHIPS ESCAPE

feOMBERS ROUTED ATTACK ON CONVOY FIRE FROM ESCORTS HELP BY* FIGHTERS 4 (Received October 24, 5.5 p.m.) ; -' ;r ; LONDON. Oct. 23 An eye-witness of the attack on a convoy on Saturday states that the British vessels were steaming south under escort in two lines. A number of German aeroplanes dived, attacked ' -:sd then immediately sought protection in the clouds. Tvro flights of three aeroplanes each later attacked the convoy. The leading escort vessels opened a heavy fire, driring off the attackers, who dropped bombs and again,turned on the convoy. All the escort vessels opened ire, , A flight of British fighters from the land pursued the retreating German aeroplanes, and the convoy reached its destination without a scratch. Convoy Shadowed Further facts now made available state that from time to time during the morning eiiemy seaplanes were sighted shadowing the convoy from 'die-lying clouds, says a British Wirei&s message. At long range their appearance was greeted with spasmodic bursts of fire from the escort vessels. Threes German aeroplanes appeared out of the mist at 12.30 in the afternoon and dived on the convoy. Fire opened by all the escort vessels »nd the enemy, after passing over the coqtoj and dropping several bombs, tanked steeply and vanished into the The sky to/ the south-east had cleared. . Seaplanes were sighted high up in the clouds to the south-east at one o'clock, and presently two flights cf 'Arise aeroplanes each turned to attack the convoy. The leading escort vessel c a heavy barrage, from which the attackers turned away. Bombs were Kin falling on the horizon. Again they torjied toward the convoy and were risible now to all the escort ships, swch opened fire in the line of adtaaee and again turned them. - Seaplanes Put to Flight A flight of British fighters at this came swooning across the con- % from the hujd, and when last seen "Oin the leading escort vessel were disappearing into the clouds to tho east*aj;3 in pursuit of tho seaplanes. . The newspapers praise the manner '".which British airmen and seamen «alt with tho Nazi bombers. Four of 'jennan aircraft were brought down. ~ n the raiders had been finally one °f tho escort vessels fJ?- a long the lines of the convoy ir'S a signal from the commanding «.J: er congratulating them on the way Stflt lf> rma tion during the

in pacific ~", ; -fi*ecdved October 21, 5.5 p.m.) . VALPARAISO. Oct. 23. £e)i a I\ Sour ? es repbrt that an unidentiChil 110 WaS Vfd-