SHOT DOWN

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23618, 30 March 1940, Page 11

SHOT DOWN

BRITISH AEROPLANE ACTION BY THE DUTCH SURVIVORS INTERNED \ By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright LONDON, March 28 ft was officially stated at The Hague that early this morning a British aeroplane flew over Holland in a westerly direction. Dutch fighters fired at and hit the machine, which landed four miles west of Rotterdam.

One occupant of the aeroplane used his parachute, but fell to his death. Four other 6ccupants left the machine when they landed. One was wounded. The survivors were interned, and the aeroplane was burned out. A message from Rotterdam says two Dutch fighters shot down a British Bristol-Blenheim. One of the crew parachuted to earth, while the remainder succeeded in making a forced landing, although the machine was in flames. Members of the crew, says another message, were immediately arrested, nnd one is reported to have died from wounds.

This Dutch sensation, following immediately upon the Scandinavians' alarm that the Allies intend policing Norwegian waters, has caused the German wireless to launch a new propaganda campaign against neutrals. "Germany will not allow neutrals to become the moral accomplices oi the Western Powers. Gingering up the Allied war policy will mean a new wave of terrorism against neutrals," it was stated.

A German communique repeats that British aircraft again violated Danish. Dutch, Belgian and Luxembourg territory .

Many foreign aeroplanes, whose nationality was not established, wcie over Belgium last night, a Brussels message. Anti-aircraft guns were brought into action. PUTTING TO SEA GERMAN WARSHIPS UNCONFIRMED REPORT

ORDERS TO MERCHANTMEN ("Received March _»!>, 535 JUIO LONDON. March •->!» The Rome radio broadcast an unconfirmed report that Gorman warships were steaming out of A\ ilhelmshavon to engage the British naval forces canning out contraband control duty in the Skagerrak, between Denmark and Norway. The announcer added that German merchantmen in Scandinavian waters had been ordered to seek .shelter in their nearest port. CARGO FOR GERMANS SEIZED RUSSIAN SHIPS EXAMINATION BY FRENCH LONDON, March -JS ft is nuthoritativelv stated that the Selenga, one of two Russian ships detained at Hongkong lias been held since the middle of January. Tt is laden with tin, antimony and Wolfram, and was bound from a Chinese port for Vladivostok when it was intercepted by a British warship. Tt is suspected that the cargo was destined for Germanv.

Reports that ihe two steamers had been rehyised are now cleared up by an official statement issued in London. The truth is that both vessels have been handed over to the French authorities. Neither has been released, and both are being examined for the purposes of contraband control. There is stated to be nothing out of the ordinary in the ships being transferred to French custody. The Allied Navies-have always acted closely and. for administrative reasons, it is found convenient to make the transfer.

SAILING FOR GERMANY (Received March 20. •">,'» p.m.) SAX FRAN'CTSCO. March 2.S Fifteen "momhers of the crew of the scuttled German liner Columbus, who arc unfit for military service, have sailed on the Japanese liner Tatuta Maru. en route to Germany.