STRIKING POWER DEMONSTRATED

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 83, Issue 288, 6 December 1939, Page 7

STRIKING POWER DEMONSTRATED

BRITISH WARPLANES RAIDS ON GERMAN NAVAL BASES SUCCESSFUL ATTACKS [ British Official Wireless.] RUGBY, Dec. 4. The first three months of the war against Germany which Britain and France were compelled to undertake ■” '■'efence of the right of the nations of Europe to a peaceful enjoyment of their independence have ended with a.ianil'estation of Britain’s [strength in the air, which significantly recalls the famous attack on Wilhelmshaven which marked the opening of the campaign in September. On that occasion units of the Royal Air Force carried out a successful attack on vessels of the German Navy at the heavily fortified harbours of Wilhelmshaven and Brunsbuttal, at the entrance to the Kiel Canal. Several direct hits with heavy bomba were registered on a German battleship in Schilling Roads, which resulted in severe damage. At Brunsbuttal an attack on a battleship lying alongside the mole resulted in heavy damage. Now comes the Air Ministry’s announcement of a successful attack on German warships near the heavily protected naval base of Heligoland by R.A.F. bombers. Two cruisers were among the German warships attacked. They were lying close to a flotilla of six or seven destroyers. Order to Attack The leader of the British attacking forces has reported that Heligoland was first seen through a gap in the clouds. When he gave the order to attack heavy anti-aircraft fire was opened on them. At this point one of the British aircraft fell out of formation but was able to regain height, rejoin its formation, and return home with the others. There were no casualties Io the R.A.F. personnel and photographs were “taken during the bombing. Among the German ships on which direct hits were obtained was one of the cruisers. The Berlin official news agency now admits that the Heligoland raiders caused slight damage and sank a fishing boat. “Because of anti-aircraft fire they were able to drop only a few bombs.” A Berlin message states that the official agency admits that one German plane was forced down during the Royal Air Force raid on HeligoInd yesterday. The crew was saved.