GERMAN RAIDERS

Waikato Times, Volume 126, Issue 21052, 2 March 1940, Page 7

GERMAN RAIDERS

ATTACK ON BRITISH SHIPS DIFFERENCE IN VERSIONS DENIAL OF NAZI CLAIMS (United Fress Assn.—-Exec. Tel. Copyright) (Received March 2, 11.50 a.m.) BERLIN, March 1 The News Agency, in claiming that German warplqnes today attacked numbers of British warships on convoy duty and armed merchantmen, says several ships of high tonnage were sunk by bombs and several others set on fire. One convoy group was broken up. RUGBY, March 1 According to the Transocean News Service the German Air Force undertook early this morning “several attacks on warships, convoys and armed merchantmen.” The report continues: “Some ships with large tonnage were sunk after being hit by bombs. Others were set on fire. One convoy was dispersed.” The Official Version Official quarters state that, although convoyed, certain unarmed fishing craft were attacked this morning by German aeroplanes. No damage was inflicted on the convov or warships, and as far as it is at present known no losses were suffered by the fishing boats. One 30-foot boat, the Courage, which was machine-gunned and had a bomb dropped within 50 feet, suffered a broken silencer and proved the accuracy of its name by resuming fishing after an hour in port. The German aeroplanes were chased away by British fighters, but contact was not esta shed. It is thought that one neutral ship, sailing alone, may have been damaged or sunk by the German raiders, as an “5.0.5.” was received from such a ship, but a life-boat was unable to find her. The unescorted Norwegian steamer Brott was accompanied* into an east coast port today, having been bombed by German raiders. Official quarters express the opinion that the attacks on these ships form the substance of the GerSunk by Bombs The British steamer Pyrrhus, of 7418 tons, was sunk by enemy action off the west coast of England. Eight Chinese firemen are missing. The Norwegian steamer Brott arrived at an east coast port with a heavy list, after being bombed. It is believed six of the crew are adrift on a raft.

British System Upheld Commenting on the warning against accepting the British navicert system issued to neutrals is by the press department of the German Legation at The Hague, it is pointed out by well-informed quarters in London that the searching of neutral ships for contraband is a legitimate exercise of a belligerent sea-power, to which neutrals are bound to submit. and the practice of diverting ships to the control bases has been established as constituting the proper method of carrying out the search.