FLYING-BOAT’S ESCAPE

Southland Times, Issue 24105, 19 April 1940, Page 7

FLYING-BOAT’S ESCAPE

Machine Bombed On Water

FALSE CLAIM BY NAZIS

(British Official Wireless) (Received April 18, 6.30 p.m.) RUGBY, April 17.

The announcement by the German wireless of the “destruction” of a ShortSunderland flying-boat and the crew was heard with some amusement by the persons concerned after they had returned safely to a Scottish base. What really happened was that the flying-boat alighted on a Norwegian fiord alongside a British destroyer when the aircraft and vessel were attacked by four Junkers 88 and two Heinkels. Circling about 5000 feet the Junkers made level bombing attacks. The Heinkels used diving tactics. The attack on the destroyer continued for some time, but although 24 bombs were dropped no damage whatever was done. The bombers then concentrated their attention on the flyingboat. While some of them machinegunned it another dropped six incendiary bombs around it. All the time the flying-boat zig-zagged on the surface of the water. An officer in the upper observation dome watched the release of the bombs and successfully guided the pilot so as to evade them. As the flying-boat dodged about the crew brought seven machine-guns into action against tire raiders, who withdrew, having caused no more damage than a wound in an officer’s knee and two bullet holes in the fuselage. Back in Scotland the crew laughed when they heard the Nazi wireless claim that “both a British cruiser and a flying battleship were sunk by bombs.” TIMBER SUPPLIES FOR GERMANY DANGER FROM MINING IN BALTIC (British Official Wireless) RUGBY, April 17.

The British action in laying minefields in the Baltic will further endanger Germany’s timber supply, already reduced by the Allied blockade. Britain’s wood supplies, on the contrary, are not seriously affected by the Scandinavian developments because of the greatly increased trade with the Empire. A timber- trade journal says that Britain will never go short of soft woods as to handicap the prosecution of the war. It points out the advantages represented by Canada’s vast forests and the expansion of trade in the last few years with British Columbia. A message from Bucharest says that the Rumanian Senate has provisionally accepted a Bill giving Germany 30 years’ concession in three . important Moldavian forests, comprising 100,000 acres of timber. RETALIATION FOR AIR RAIDS LONDON CIVIL DEFENCE PREPARED LONDON, April 17. Mr Herbert Morrison, chairman of the London County Council, who is responsible for London’s civil defence, in a speech replied to the German threats of aerial attacks on Britain. “The civil defence is ready,” he said. “If Goering and Hitler make raids involving the civil population public opinion will insist that Britain take similar action forthwith. “If they attack the counter-stroke will come with power, might and efficiency.” AMPLE SUPPLIES OF COTTON (British Official Wireless) RUGBY, April 17. The Cotton Controller announced that there need be no anxiety about supplies of raw cotton. Since the war began the cotton industry had become one of the most fortunate British industries in this respect. Cotton stocks were unusually low immediately before the war, but total supplies at present were equal to over eight months’ consumption at the present rate.