NAZI SEAPLANES BOMBED

Southland Times, Issue 24003, 19 December 1939, Page 6

NAZI SEAPLANES BOMBED

R.A.F. PATROL OVER BASES HELIGOLAND BIGHT BATTLE LARGE BRITISH LOSSES CLAIMED BY GERMANS (United Press Assn.—Telegraph Copyright) (Received December 18, 6.30 p.m.) LONDON, December 7. It is officially announced that the Royal Air Force again patrolled the bases at Borkum, Norderney and Sylt last night and in the early hours of the morning. Enemy seaplanes, observed at their moorings, were attacked with bombs. A Berlin ‘communique, discussing the Heligoland Bight battle, claims that of 20 attackers 10 were brought down by German 'fighters. One German aeroplane came down in the sea. It adds that a single British bomber which approached the air base at Borkum yesterday without dropping bombs was driven off by anti-aircraft fire. Two other aeroplanes attempted to attack the island of Sylt. AIL four bombs dropped in the sea. CASUALTIES IN AIR FORCE OFFICIAL ANNOUNCEMENT BY MINISTRY (British Official Wireless) RUGBY, December 17. The Air Ministry announces the following casualties “on various dates”: Previously reported missing, now reported killed in action—2. Previously reported missing, believed killed, now reported killed in action—l. Wounded in action —1. Missing, believed killed in action —2. Missing—l. On active service—Killed, 20; missing, believed killed, 2; died, 11. BRITISH SUBMARINE’S ACTION ■ RUGBY, December 17. The incident in which a British submarine—which subsequently sank a U-boat and torpedoed a German crui-.r—sighted the German liner Bremen, but out of respect for the Rules of War refrained from the only hostile action open to her. namely, the torpedoing of a merchant vessel without regard for . life, was the subject of comment in both the House of Lords and the House of Commons. In both Houses the Opposition speakers commended the behaviour of the commander and resentment was expressed at the thoughtless criticism in some organs of the Press.