NO RESPITE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24256, 26 March 1940, Page 9

NO RESPITE

THE EASTER PERIOD CEASELESS PATROLS FLIGHTS OVER GERMANY LOSS OF PLANE REPORTED (United Press Association) (By Electric Telegrahp—Copyright) LONDON, Mar. 25. (Received Mar. 25, at 11.50 p.m.) The British Navy and Air Force continued ceaseless patrols during the Easter period,; The army stood ready on foreign soil. Men serving on home and foreign stations were given such leave as the war situation permitted. The Air Ministry announced that “ during Saturday night R.A.F. aircraft carried out reconnaissance flights over extensive areas of northwest Germany. One of our aircraft failed to return.” The German High Command says: “ Numerous enemy aeroplanes flew over north-west Germany and the Moselle-Rhine sector on the night of March 23-24. Our antiaircraft guns shot down one Vickers-Wellington long-distance bomber.” The German High Command alleges that enemy aircraft, proceeding home between 10.45 p.m. and 2.45 a.m., violated Dutch territory in eight cases. A Bomber Crashes It is officially stated in Berlin that a British bomber crashed near a city on the North Sea coast. Three members of the crew survived. One was taken prisoner and the others were admitted to hospital. The pilot was killed by anti-aircraft fire. One member made a safe landing by parachute and two others suffered burns and shpck when the plane hit the ground.