ATTACKS ON SHETLANDS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23505, 16 November 1939, Page 9

ATTACKS ON SHETLANDS

AERIAL TORPEDOES FALL IN SEA SCHOOL CHILDREN ESCAPE By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright (Received November 15, 0.30 p.m.) LONDON. Nov. 15 Four German aeroplanes took part in a raid on the Shetland Islands, north of Scotland, on Monday. They dropped at least 12 bombs of 5001b. each. One seven-pound fragment' hit a small house. German aircraft raided the Shetlands again to-day, but were driven off by anti-aircraft fire. No bombs were dropped. In Monday s raid four missiles described as aerial torpedoes fell in the sea, and four bunched together struck the land a-quarter of a mile from some schools, which were occupied at the time. Four more struck a hilltop three miles distant. The bombs made craters 20 feet wide and nine feet deep. They threw earth and stones 150 feet into the air and pitted the area for 200 yards. The aeroplanes, which were flying low owing to heavy rain, were visible for only a few seconds. When anti-aircraft guns opened fire two of the machines were seen to wobble. The German High Command, in a communique, states that the raiders destroyed two British flying-boats. A cruiser was also believed to have been hit. All the raiders returned to Germany in good condition. Official circles in London state that no flying-boats were destroyed and there were no casualties.