R.A.F. OFFENSIVE

Manawatu Standard, Volume LX, Issue 139, 13 May 1940, Page 9

R.A.F. OFFENSIVE

ON ENEMY FORCES, AERODROME BOMBARDED: (United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph. Copyright.) LONDON, May 12.. t Throughout Friday night and yesterday the aircraft of the British Bomber Command maintained a relentless offensive against the enemy forces invading Holland and Belgium. AVaalhavcn aerodrome, near Rotterdam, already damaged, was subjected to the heaviest aerial bombardment of the war. It was lei t ablaze after a series of raids lasting nearly six hours, during which several hundred high explosive bombs were dropped.

Other aircraft of the Bomber Command were meanwhile bombing troop concentrations inside Germany and hampering advance reinforcements to the Dutch and Belgian frontiers. The Air Ministry announces that German' mechanised troops advancing from the Rhine to the Meuse were again harassed yesterday by a series of attacks by the R.A.F. Roads irom Maastricht, were -.bombed and a few miles south-west of the town, on the road to Tongrc, a , column of small tanks, armoured cars and troop transports was attacked, several direct hits being obtained. At least 50 enemy ’planes were destroyed during extensive R.A.F. actions yesterday and last night, and many more were seriously damaged. Some 20 British ’planes arc missing. The first attack on the Rotterdam airport at "Waalhaven was launched shortly after 9 p.m. when a strong force of bombers carrying full loads of high explosive and incendiary bombs began a series of attacks lasting nearly 45 minutes (states the British Official "Wireless).

Machine-guns and multiple pompoms round the aerodrome and along the western side of the dock nearby offered strong opposition, but nearly 100 bombs were dropped on the .aerodrome and buildings. Direct hits were scored on the buildings and hangars; Six large troop transports dispersed along the northern boundary were damaged, hangars were set ablaze, and numerous fires started oil three, sides of the aerodrome. "Within 50 minutes of the start of the raid three hangars were burnt out, while a fourth was described by one pilot as being “white hot.” "WAVES OF BOMBERS.

During the attack all lights in Rotterdam were abruptly cut off, as though the electric power supply had suddenly failed. They came on again with equal suddenness at 10 p.m. and served to guide the second British raiders. Attacking from a different Height, these bombers scored hits on all parts of the aerodrome with a large number of high explosive bombs, while new fires started by incendiary bombs added to the blaze. Shortly before midnight the vanguard of a third wave or British raiders came over the aerodrome, launching the first of a series of attacks whicii lasted nearly an hour. Again great quantities of High explosive bombs were dropped from low levels. Direct hits were registered on the buildings and aircraft were set alight. Less than an hour after this force left, the fourth and final phase of the attack began, and the already devastated aerodrome was subjected to almost continuous bombardment by numerous aircraft atacking at short intervals. Slight machine-gun fire was the only opposition the badly battered ground defences could offer, and the raiders, approaching in a shallow dive, dropped l>ombs with great accuracy. Four salvoes straddled the hangars, a group of buildings on the northeast corner was set alight, and six enemy aircraft were hit and burst into flames, Direct hits were also registered on two more hangars and on the road beside the aerodrome and near the. railway in the north-east corner. A terrific explosion followed the dropping of one large salvo of bombs. "When the last British raider drew off fires were rasing on all parts of the aerodrome, and through the drifting smoke 20 aircraft could be seen blazing fiercely.