LORD STRABOLGIMy Lords, I beg leave to ask a private notice question of the Minister for Co-ordination of Defence—namely, whether he has any statement to make about the attacks last night by the Royal Air Force on the island of Sylt.
§ THE MINISTER FOR THE COORDINATION OF DEFENCE (LORD CHATFIELD)My Lords, I am in a position to make the following statement: Squadrons of the Royal Air Force last night delivered a continuous series of attacks for a period of six hours on the base at Hoernum in the island of Sylt from which German seaplanes have been engaged in mine-laying and in attacks on our shipping. These operations were carried out in answer to the raid by German aircraft on land bases in the Orkney Islands last Saturday. A strong force, involving more than double the number of German aircraft engaged on Saturday, took part in the operation. The weather conditions over the target were clear moonlight during the early part of the raid, gradually clouding over towards morning. The aircraft encountered intense anti-aircraft fire from gun positions on Sylt and on adjacent islands, but this did not prevent them reaching and dropping a large number of bombs on their target. Such fighter aircraft as were encountered sheered off when fired upon. With one exception all the aircraft taking part in the attack returned safely to their bases.
Both high and low altitude attacks were carried out, and many tons of high explosive and incendiary bombs were dropped. The reports already received from the pilots show how extensive is the damage that has been done. Direct hits were obtained on the hangars which were set on fire. The oil storage tanks were also seen to be on fire, and many hits were obtained on the jetty, light railway and other parts of the base. A further reconnaissance of the island of Sylt was 969 carried out this morning. Although the aircraft were heavily engaged they were able to make observations of the island which confirm the success of the operation. All these latter aircraft have returned to their bases. Your Lordships will appreciate how gratified and encouraged the Royal Air Force have been to have had this opportunity. This action has once more demonstrated the fighting spirit and the skill of our captains and crews and their willingness and readiness to meet the call.
LORD STRABOLGIMy Lords, may I be allowed to thank the noble and gallant Lord for his reply, and on behalf of my noble friends and I believe on behalf of all your Lordships and indeed of the whole of the lieges, to re-echo the last words of the noble Lord's statement? We would like from these Benches particularly to express our admiration of the efficiency, gallantly and determination of this brilliant operation. During these months of the war in which we have seen our shipping attacked and merchant seamen and fishermen done to death in the most brutal manner by German aircraft as well as by German submarines, the country has longed for our forces to have an opportunity of retaliating with their weapons against legitimate targets. We quite realise the reasons why this has not been done before. The public feel, I am sure, what everyone feels in circumstances like these, that there is nothing so trying as to be attacked or to see your fellow-countrymen attacked and not have the opportunity of striking back. I understand that the island of Sylt was evacuated of its civil population some time ago and it was, therefore, a perfect target. Every building or structure in the island was of military value. I have made a rough calculation since this news was given to us, and my reckoning is that in this great raid of which the noble and gallant Lord has just given us information, more bombs were dropped on Sylt than in all the raids on London during the whole of the Great War. I am very glad on behalf of my noble friends to congratulate the Royal Air Force on the success of the exploit.