FIERCE OFFENSIVE
INVASION BASES HAMMERED INFERNO IN CHANNEL PORTS ENEMY CONVOYS ATTACKED (British Official Wireless.) Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright RUGBY, September 22. (Received September 23, at 11 a.m.)'
With the weather ideal for an in>> vasion attempt, the R.A.F. for some hours delivered the fiercest attack on the invasion bases. A big crowd of spectators in England watched a continuous miles-long illumination from which the reflection in the sea stretched to Kent. Boulogne, Calais, and Dunkirk were severely plastered, but there was no port or inlet along the coast that did not receive a visit during the'night. 'An Air Ministry communique states; The R.A.F. continued its attacks on enemy invasion bases in Channel ports yesterday and last night. During the day aircraft from the Bomber Command attacked the port of Flushing and its defences, and concentrations of barges and light-draught vessels at Rotterdam, Antwern. Ostend, and near Terneuzen in Holland, and in Calais the St. Omer Canal. Aircraft of the Coastal Command operated successfully against enemy ships at sea. A convoy of 12 merchant vessels was bombed near Boulogne. Patrolling aircraft attacked a supply ship of large tonnage south of Borkum and an incendiary bomb was observed to strike the vessel. When smaller ships were attacked near the Dutch island of Araeland a direct hit on ona was followed by an explosion. During night, from shortly after dusk until nearly dawn, the ports of Ostend, Dunkirk, Boulogne, and Calais were heavily bombed by aircraft of the Bomber Command. Many bombs wera seen to burst with good effect on ships, barges, and docks, and the attacks were punctuated by fires and explosions. From these operations all our aircraft returned safely. Methodically, hour after hour, the bombers continued the work of destruction at Boulogne. The great fire at tha quayside tended to dwarf many others in tho harbour. Big explosions were observed at intervals, and barges were flaming throughout the night. There were also numerous barge fires at Dunkirk after repeated big explosions. A blazing warehouse illuminated Ostend Harbour, but vast columns of smoke from another fire north-westwards of the main basin hindered the bomb aimers. The R.A.F. dive-bombed Calais Harbour and set fire to the whole target area. Direct hits were scored on four large ships and resulted in dense clouds of white vapour. Other salvos extinguished searchlights.
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Evening Star, Issue 23688, 23 September 1940, Page 5
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386FIERCE OFFENSIVE Evening Star, Issue 23688, 23 September 1940, Page 5
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