BOMBS ON REICH

Manawatu Standard, Volume LX, Issue 143, 17 May 1940, Page 5

BOMBS ON REICH

HEAVY OFFENSIVE. GREAT R.A.E. ARMADA. EXTENSIVE DAMAGE. (British Official Wireless.) Received May 17, 11.25 a.m. RUGBY, May 16. An Air Ministry announcement issued late to-night describes the operations last night by the largest force of R.A.E. bombers yet emqjloyed. Extensive damage was inflicted covering a wide area, and only one aircraft failed to return. The announcement reads: “The success of our large-scale bombing attacks on military objectives in Germany is best shown by the attempt of a German High Command communique to minimise their importance. It, however, is noteworthy that strict orders to-day were broadcast to the German people to observe the blackout regulations in the interests of the whole nation, which ‘must he spared any damage from the air.’

“The damage inflicted by last night’s- bombing operations, in fact, was extensive and covered a wide area. Assisted by moonlight and a detailed knowledge of the country learned from many previous reconnaissances, the largest force of R.A.E. bombers yet employed in a single operation set ‘out from aerodromes in France and Britain. SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES. “Each crew was given specific military objectives and instructions that bombs were not to be dropped indiscriminately. A few aircraft failed to locate their objectives and did noL drop their bombs, but tlie majority found and bombed their targets with great effect, causing widespread damage, many explosions and fires. “Large numbers of searchlights were encountered, and the bombers’ approach was the.signal for heavy antiaircraft fire. Despite the opposition, the attacks were" pressed home. Oue of the Whitley bombers made three separate runs over its target at varying heights. Two direct hits were registered, one on a main road and the other on a railway line, tour tracks of metal being plainly visible in tlie flash of the explosion. DIRECT HIT ON COLUMN.

“Other Whitleys successfully bombed roads leading to bridges, sotting the adjoining woods alight, and also attacked a military encampment whose position was seen by the light of parachute flares.

“Another Whitley scored a direct hit in the centre of a mechanised column two miles long. Railway junctions, main road crossings and important roads were among the objectives successfully attacked by a Wellington formation. One of the Wellingtons, coming down through a layer of cloud to bomb, emerged in the centre of a balloon barrage. By banking steeply the aircraft just managed to escape collision, with tlie cables. “Several direct hits were scored on another long mechanised column by Hampden bombers. They also attacked road and rail communications. Four minutes after a direct hit had been registered on a railway junction sheets pf flame hurst up out of the target; Another direct hit resulted in an explosion of such force that the aircraft several thousand feet up was rocked by the blast. In spite of the size and diversity of the operations, and the large force employed, only one of our aircraft failed to return. INFANTRY ASSISTED.

“Simultaneously a night operation was carried out by Wellington and Whitley aircraft to assist the Allied infantry countering an. enemy attack in the neighbourhood of Turnhout and Dinant. These aircraft all returned safely.

“Day bombing operations were also carried out yesterday in the neighbourhood of Montherone and Diuant by two squadrons of Blenheim aircraft, causing heavy damage to parked lorries and tanks. Two Blenheims failed to return.

“Our fighter pilots had a good day. There was no lack of targets and the attacks were pressed homo from dawn to dusk. “A formation of six Hurricanes attacked 25 Messerschmitt 110’s and shot down five. In another ease two Hurricanes intercepted nine Messerschmitt ,1-10’s and shot down four. Four other encounters resulted in loss to the enemy of 20 aircraft. “In all during the day 50 enemy aircraft, were destroyed. The morale of our pilots and crews could not be higher. The daily toll inflicted on enemy aircraft is working out. at more than three to one in our favour.”