ESCAPED GERMAN WARSHIPS

Southland Times, Issue 24681, 28 February 1942, Page 5

ESCAPED GERMAN WARSHIPS

Severe Damage To Battle-Cruisers LONDON, February 26. Referring to the passage of the German warships through the Channel, the First Lord of the Admiralty, Mr A. V. Alexander, said in a speech in the House of Commons that it would be wrong to make any comment while the secret inquiry was in progress but “the inference which the German statements are designed to convey that these vessels arrived in Germany scathless is not true. Reliable reports have been received that both the German battlecruisers received severe damage when on the passage from Brest. Photographs show that one battle-cruiser is in dry dock in Kiel while the other has been located in the dockyard at Wilhelmshaven. “Criticism has been uttered in the House this week of the fact that only six Swordfish attacked the enemy during the Channel battle. I would remind the House that this was not the only air-borne torpedo attack which was launched—there was a much larger number of torpedo bombers of the Coastal Command which also attacked the enemy.” A British Official Wireless message states that the navy dockyard at Kiel was the main target for British bombers on Wednesday night, and both there and elsewhere they left many extensive fires. One burnt red with volumes of black smoke, which showed that an oil depot was probably burning. Many high explosive bombs exploded in vital areas of the base. REASON FOR WITHDRAWAL Another message states that Scandinavians are convinced that the withdrawal of the Scharnhorst, the Gneisenau and the Prinz Eugen from the Atlantic is for the purpose of supporting an invasion of Sweden. According to Scandinavian circles in London Sweden is preparing for what she believes to be Germany’s next offensive. Reserved classes in the army are being called up for special manoeuvres on the frontier areas, especially at the gap to the east of Trondheim where the railway from Norway enters Sweden. Plans for the destruction of the iron ore mines are ready. Sweden is not hiding her defence preparations. Knowing that she has no chance against a large German attack she wishes to demonstrate that an invasion would require large forces and would involve a heavy German sacrifice.