NO BRITISH RAID ON SYLT

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLVIII, Issue 21558, 22 January 1940, Page 7

NO BRITISH RAID ON SYLT

Becomes “ Bombing

Mystery ”

United Press Association—By Eiectrlo Telegraph—Copyright

(Received January 21, 10.30 p.m.) LONDON, January 20.

Icefloes exploding mines in Danish waters suggest an explanation of the Sylt bombing mystery, though German circles, in spite of the British denial, insist that the Royal Air Force was responsible.

There is no confirmation in London Of circumstantial reports from Copenhagen of a new air attack on the German seaplane base at the Island of Sylt to the north of the Heligoland Bight. The Air Ministry has no information about any air activity that would account for these reports and it is unofficially stated that no British aeroplanes were over that district yesterday. This is the second time in eight days that eye-witness reports of this kind, entirely lacking confirmation in London, have been received from Denmark. Eye-witnesses claim that 15 German aeroplanes took off from Sylt at 6 p.m., flying towards Heligoland. Heavy anti-aircraft fire lasted for 30 minutes. Naval gunfire from Heligoland and the presence of five unidentified aeroplanes at 8 p.m. are also confirmed. It is believed that two raids occurred. It is considered in London that the gunfire heard was in the German carrying out shelling and bombing practice. Enemy Raider Driven Off The Air Ministry made the following announcement to-day: “An enemy aircraft was attacked by Royal Air Force fighters over the sea east of Aberdeen this afternoon and was driven off.’’ The Air Ministry statement gives point to a leading article in the "Yorkshire Post,” which recalls that it is a quarter of a century to-day since England was first attacked by airships, which came over the eastern countries on a rainy, misty night and dropped bombs, killing four persons. After reviewing the growth of the air menace after 1915 in the last war and in the intervening years of peace,' the “Yorkshire Post’’ editorial ends with a claim which this afternoon's incident does nothing to invalidate.

"The air menace can be mastered,” it states, "That is shown by the speed with which recent raiders returned to Germany after approaching our coasts.”

A message from The Hague states that foreign planes flew over the Eastern Netherlands last night. An explanation is being sought from London in a belief that they were British.

The British Air Ministry announced that several reconnaissance flights were carried out over north-west Germany on the nights of January 18 and 19.