TURNED BACK

Waikato Times, Volume 128, Issue 21357, 27 February 1941, Page 7

TURNED BACK

ATTACKS ON BRITAIN RESCUERS IN DANGER RAIDERS SHOT DOWN (United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright) (Received Feb. 27, 11.0 a.m.) LONDON, Feb. 26 Fighters prevented formations of raiders from flying to London this afternoon and also turned back other formations over the Thames Estuary. Air raid personnel were attempting to rescue the crew of a night raider that had been shot down when another German, attracted by the flames, dropped flares and high explosives. The rescuers leaped into ditches and had a narrow escape. However, they saved one member of the crew, who was admitted to hospital. An enemy bomber destroyed last .night by a night patrol was brought down in East Anglia, states the Air Ministry news service. The machine was caught by searchlights and a British fighter pilot gave it one burst from his guns and saw it break into flames. “It was like a fireworks display,” he said. RAIDS ON CONTINENT CALAIS DOCKS ATTACKED SWEEP OVER CHANNEL (Official Wireless) (Received Feb. 27, noon) RUGBY, Feb. 26 An Air Ministry communique states: This afternoon a squadron of Royal Air Force bombers, escorted by fighters, attacked the docks at Calais, while other fighters carried out an offensive sweep over the Channel and Northern France. There was considerable antiaircraft gunfire but very few enemy aircraft were encountered. At Calais hits were observed on the quayside and the jetty of the xidal harbour. One British aircraft fighter is missing. RAIN, FOG, SNOW GREEK CAMPAIGN IMPEDED 20,000 ITALIAN PRISONERS (United Press Assn.—sice. vei. Copyright) LONDON, Feb. 25 Snow is falling in the Albanian mountains. Activity in the battle zone is also impeded by rain and fog, but the Greeks carried out smallscale operations with satisfactory results. Anti-aircraft gunners on the northern front winged an Italian bomber, which made a forced landing, and six of the crew were taken prisoner. Three other bombers were so seriously damaged that they were unlikely to regain their base. Another Italian aeroplane shot down in the coastal sector fell into the sea. It was towed to the shore by the Greeks and four of the crew were taken prisoner. Greek fighter aeroplanes in the central sector shot down two enemy machines and seriously damaged a third. The 20,000 Italian prisoners in Greece include 551 officers. Direct Hits by Airmen A Royal Air Force Greek communique states: In spite of the worst possible weather and in the face of intense anti-aircraft fire a bomber formation of the Royal Air Force, escorted by fighters, yesterday heavily attacked targets on the TepeliniKlissura road. Direct hits were registered on military buildings, motor transport and troop concentrations. All our aircraft returned safely. Activity Restricted A Greek headquarters communique states: Activity is restricted to small parties of troops and artillery. PAID BY HITLER "QUISLINGS” IN AMERICA LINDBERGH DENOUNCED (United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright) NEW YORK, Feb. 25 The Minister of the Interior, Mr Harold L. Ickes, in an address asj serted that the United States con- | tained an “ indeterminable number of dangerous Fifth Columnists who are serving the avowed purposes of Hitler and Goebbels, some of them for pay.” Mr Ickes cites Colonel Charles Lindbergh, Father Coughlin, the “ radio priest,” and others as “ Quislings who in pretended patriotism would cravenly spike our guns and ground our aeroplanes in order that Hitler can more easily overcome us.” GAS WARFARE STATEMENT BY GERMAN REPORTS IN BRITISH PRESS (United Press Assn.—E;ec. Tel. Copyright) BERLIN, Feb. 25 A military spokesman said frequent mention of gas warfare in the British press and on the wireless “ gives us much to think about.” These references were always based on seme imaginary report that Germany was planning a gas offensive, he added. The first Japanese Minister to Australia, Mr Tatsuo Kawai, will leave Kobe on board the Canberra Maru on Friday. He will arrive in Sydney on March 13.