NAZI KEY-POINT BOMBED

Dominion, Volume 35, Issue 260, 1 August 1942, Page 7

NAZI KEY-POINT BOMBED

R.A.F. Starts Big Fires (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, July 30. Saarbrucken was the chief target of a strong R.A.F. bomber force last night. This town is a great coal and steel centre and a keypoint for canal, river and rail traffic. Tlie bombing force carried a large number of incendiaries and also a heavy load of high-explosive bombs. Pilots reported that the centre of the target area was well alight with four or live really big fires burning well. Many night fighters were encountered and several of them were destroyed by bombers. Nine of our aircraft are missing. Offensive operations ibis afternoon by R.A.F. fighters extended from Gravelines, in the east, to Les Sept Iles, off tlie coast of Brittany, in the west. During these sweeps two enemy fighters were destroyed and a tanker left on fire, and a smaller vessel was seriously damaged. Soon afterward Hurricane boffibers, escorted by 'Spitfires, attacked three ships off Les 'Sept lies. One tanker was left sinking and one motor-vessel was seriously damaged.

In .(he evening Spitfires and Hurricane bombers attacked an aerodrome near Stonier. Enemy fighters were encountered in strength and there were many combats. Five of the enemy were destroyed. Hangars and dispersal huts at the aerodrome were hit with bombs. Thirteen <>f our aircraft are missing from the day’s operations.”

A traveller who lias arrived at. Istanbul from Germany stated that a single 400011). R.A.F. bomb which was dropped on Hamburg blasted an entire block of important buildings, including an observatory and .Storm Troop barracks. He said that the German people have little fear of a second front, hut are greatly alarmed at. the prospect of an extension of the R.A.F. raids. The latest information on the German organization of the defences in Belgium which have reached Belgian official quarters in London is that many new aerodromes have been prepared and large bases for the German air force built. About one-quarter of the aerodromes are actually used, whilst others are kept in reserve, with obstructions erected on them to prevent enemy landings. German bombers have been withdrawn io aerodromes in the interior, also night, fighters, whose task is to intercept British bombers on Hights into Germany