KIEL RAIDERS

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20044, 16 September 1939, Page 7

KIEL RAIDERS

BRITISH PILOTS GRAPHIC STORIES TOLD BOMBING GERMAN SHIP HEIGHT OF 100 FEET ANSWER BY POM-POMS (Elec. Tel. Copyright—United Press Assn.) (Reed. Sept. 15, 2.45 p.m.) LONDON, Sept. 14.

The Ministry of Information announces that the first eye-witness accounts of the air raids against the enemy after the outbreak of war can now be given. It is the story of the Kiel raids obtained from the Royal Air Force pilots and navigators who struck this blow against Germany’s naval strength. Some of these pilots flew so close to one of two warships which were bombed that they almost touched her masthead and could see in vivid detail what happened on her decks and also what happened on the quayside. The pilots and crews were drawn from all parts of Britain. There were several officers also from Canada, New Zealand, Australia, and Eire.

The leader of the first flight 4 o reach Wilhelmshaven, who had a Canadian as navigator, said: “We started for Wilhelmshaven at 4 p.m. on Monday afterntoon. “The conditions were fine when we left, but as we flew we met foul weather with heavy continuous rain. When we reached Wilhelmshaven the weather cleared for a few minutes.

Crews Run To Stations

“Breaking the flight formation, we flew singly. In -the Schilling Roads we could see a Gorman warship taking on stores. We could even see some washing hanging on the line. Undaunted by the Washing we proceeded io bomb the battleship. Flying at 1 Drift above the masts, all three aircraft in our flight converged on the battleship. I flew straight ahead. “The pilot of the second aircraft came across from one side. The third pilot crossed from the other. “We could see the crews running to stations. As we flew on top of the battleship we dropped our bombs Our second pilot saw two hit. “We cable round and the ship’s pompoms began to fire as we headed homeward.

“The pilot bf the third aircraft saw the first bomb drop from the second bomber. It appeared to drop dead amidships.” “When the pompom guns began to fire my navigator saw shells burst ing almost on the tail of the aircraft. By now the battleship’s crew were all at action stations and the third pilot got, as he said, ‘some hot stuff.’ He dropped his bombs and made a fast circuit round the battleship.”

German Biplane Seen

Wheeling he noticed three bursts of fire at the leader’s machine. During the whole action oniy one German aircraft was seen. It was. a biplane which flew past and disappeared. Eye-witnesses described it as “very poor looking.” By 7.30 p.m. this flight were back at their staA vivid story was told by the officers and crew of another squadron taking oart in the raids on the Kiel area. One of the aircraft was hit several times, both by shells and bullets but returned home safely although the two petrol tanks were punctured. The other two bombers were not hit. „ .. “We set out in fine weather, said the leader of this attack. “We were flying at 2000 ft., but soon ran into cloud and came down to 300 ft. “We were near the German coast when half a dozen enemy fighters came out to engage us. A game of hide and seek in the clouds followed and our craft were successful in eluding their pursuers and left them behind.

Accurate Landfall

“Tim 'conditions grew worse .and there was heavy rain for an hour. Then the weather improved and my bombers gained height. Giving a wide berth to all lands along the German coast we made a landfall accurately and flew up the Elbe Estuary until we sighted a number of German r.aval vessels.

‘‘We were then at GOOOft. under a thin layer of cloud. The enemy held his fire until we were almost over the target. Then suddenly he opened with every' gun he could bring to bear.”

“It was terrific, especially the firing 'rom the big ships which seemed to carry seven guns on either beam. We made our aircraft as difficult targets ns we could by manoeuvring and then straightened out and dropped oui bombs. “At once we rose into the clouds with shells bursting round us and made for home after an effective smack at the enemy. Our flight all returned safely.” The original communique sta.ed: “Our aircraft encountered an air attack and fire, resulting in some casualties.” „ . . It can be affirmed on official authority that the total casualties were considerably fewer than the numbers mentioned in the German claims, which can only be described as a deliberate exaggeration.