NAZI REPAIR GUPS' WORK UNDONE;

Auckland Star, Volume LXXI, Issue 225, 21 September 1940, Page 9

NAZI REPAIR GUPS' WORK UNDONE;

FURTHER RAIDS. Dortmund Canal Aqueducts Again Smashed. British Official Wirel^ae. (Rccd. 1 p.m.) RUGBY, Sept. 20. All the British aircraft engaged in the night operations of ThursdayFriday against targets in enemy or enemy-occupied territory rcLurned safely. The weather was most unfavourable. According to the Air Ministry news service ihe aqueducts which carry the Dortmund-Ems Canal over the Kiver Ems, north of Munsler, one of the most vital links in Germany's internal communications, were ihe principal objectives.

These had been seriously damaged T the Royal Air Force last month, but repair gangs had since been working at high pressure to restore them to use. Ou Thursday night British bombers flew through a blinding rainstorm cloud that blanketed both land and sea. Mamaircraft were iced as they flew high to surmount the clouds

Luckily there came a sudden break in the clouds right over the target, and through this clear patch pilots could easily see the aqueducts and make their runs accurately. Sticks of high explosive bombs were dropped across both aqueducts, and at least one burst was seen on the structure.

Xearly an hour later another shallow dive attack was made, and again a. stick of bombs crashed across both aqueducts, and an observer saw clouds of dust drifting away after the explosion.

Just before 3 a.m. another raider, who also emerged into & welcome clear patch after flying among dense clouds nearly all the way from liis base, made au attack. He could see both aqueduct* clearly as his. bombs were unloaded.

Channel ports were also shrouded in driving rain, which often turned to sleet. Nevertheless another successful attack was made on Ostend and new fires were started, one at the north end of the main basin and another near two rows of warehouses, which caught fire. By the time the raiders left, other bombers attacked the new tidal harbour, and despite au intense searchlight glare a later raifler saw a large fire burning on the quayside. Heavy Expl£ions Seen. A pilot who attacked Flushing harbour saw heavy explosions in harbour works and in the outer harbour, and also across Verbreed Caual. where fires were already burning when he arrived over the target.

Another pilot who flew over Flushing at 1300 ft dropping high explosive and incendiary bombs said he saw five hursts among barges at the southern end of Verbreed Canal.

They caused a series of minor explosions, followed by a violent explosion with greeu flames. Incendiary bomba started fires among barges extending over about 100 vards.

Dunkirk docks were also attacked from a low level. " i spite of intense anti-aircraft fire.

Other squadrons bombed railway yards at Mannheim and Erhang, goods yards at. Xeckarau, four niiles south of Mannheim, and the main railway lines at Coblenz. Attacks were also made on a. bridge over the Rhine near the Trier Canal, between \ eere and Middleburg, in Holland, and aerodromes at Munsterliansdon and Bergonopzoom.

It is authoritatively stated in Berlin that the R.A.K. was over the Khineland after midnight and ten civilians vre-rc killed, says a cable message.