DISASTER FOR GERMANS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23770, 25 September 1940, Page 9

DISASTER FOR GERMANS

SCATTERING OF INVASION FLEET GALE AND BRITISH BOMBING DRAMATIC EVENTS OF RECENT WEEK-END By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright (•Received September 24, 8.15 p.m.) LONDON, Sept. 24 Hitler lost between 50,000 and 60,000 picked troops in a disaster which scattered his invasion fleet on September 1 6—they were the victims of the Channel storms which raged that weekend, and of the merciless Royal Air Force bombardment, says a correspondent of the Daily Mail on the Franco-Spanish frontier. The German High Command had previously decided to make new dispositions because the troops had already suffered heavily from British bombing. The invasion fleet, consisting of thousands of barges, was taken out of the ports and moored along the lonely Flanders coast. The fleet was ready to cross the Channel on Sunday, September 15, but because of the terrific losses of German aeroplanes that day, when 187 were shot down in the mass raids, the orders to sail were delayed. Sudden Gale Sweeps Channel A south-west gale swept the Channel that night. Tugs desperately tried to tow the barges to safety, but many of them were overturned, drowning thousands of men. Flat-bottomed motorboats and heavily-laden transport ships drove helplessly before the wind. The Germans are still organising. It is significant that since the disaster only the crews remain permanently on board the vessels being prepared for the invasion. British bombers last night resumed their battering of the invasion ports. German anti-aircraft guns tried to beat off wave after wave of bombers, but the fury of the methodical raid did not abate. The weather is fine in the Straits of Dover, and the sea is calm. There is a gentle westerly wind, with a slight mist. The Germans have greatly strengthened their defences at the invasion ports, and gunfire followed the British bombers for two miles out to sea. Fires lit up the whole coast from Calais to Flushing like carnival illuminations. Bombs which fell on a big ammunition dump at Ostend cause'd a terrific explosion. Bombs also fell on the railway station and the main docks, and the railway to Le Havre was extensively damaged. Docks and ships were set on fire. Bombs Blow Ship Sky-high Many tons of high-explosive b„ombs and hundreds of incendiaries fell over the harbour. One ship blew up sky-high. It was the same story at other ports. A raider blew up nine barges drawn up on the beach, five miles from Ostend. Discussing the German preparations, states a British official wireless message, Air-Marshal Sir Philip Joubert, broadcasting to the United States, said: "For the Germans to use successfully the weapon they have forged, they must have air superiority over the south-east of England. With this power in their hands, it would be possible for the Germans to seize a harbour with air-borne troops, and after establishing such a bridgehead, to use small steamships to bring over reinforcements and thus develop a powerful offensive on land. "We are prepared for this. I do not believe the Germans will be able to obtain air superiority, and our land and sea defences are strong. I think most of us feel we would like the matter put to the test, and we are awaiting with impatience the Germans decision to make their gambler's throw."