HARASSED BY R.A.F.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LX, Issue 162, 8 June 1940, Page 8

HARASSED BY R.A.F.

NAZIS SUFFER HEAVILY BOMBERS EXACT TOLL '(United Press Association.' —By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright.) RUGBY, June 6. Throughout Wednesday night and Thursday strong forces of heavy and medium bombers of the R.A.F. have been continually engaged in harassing the second phase of the German offensive against the Allied Armies in France with a series of attacks on mechanised units, troop concentrations, and lines of communication behind the German battle front. The air offensive behind the German lines began before dusk with a vigorous and successful attack by medium bombers on road and rail junctions between Amiens and Arras.

’PLANES BROUGHT DOAVN. Extensive opposition from heavy batteries and anti-aircraft guns was encountered, and on the way home enemy fighters attempted to intercept the raiders."ln one instance a Messerechmitt attacking from dead astern, was hit in the port engine and at once broke off tlie engagement, disappearing from view” with fiamC6 streaming from the damaged engine. Later three MesserscJimitt 109’s made an effort to break up a section of the British formation, but the attempt was abandoned as soon as one of the enemy fighters was seen to go down in flames.

An hour after medium bombers had ended a long bombardment of the enemy’s lines of communication, a formation of heavy bombers arrived on the scene to attack similar targets. Further widespread damage wad inflicted on the enemy’s transport lines. A lone convoy was observed moving towards a wood. Darkness had set in, and flares were dropped to illuminate the vehicles. A few minutes later a salvo completely disorganised the rear 'of the column, while other bombs, exploding among lorries which had reached the cover of the trees, also took toll.

In the vicinity of Doullens ■ other bombers came upon another mechanised unit and again broke it up, at least two bombs scoring direct hits. While these attacks were in progress, another force of heavy- bombers concentrated their attention on the lines of communication between Cambrai and Le Cateau, carrying out many low and high level attacks on important objectives at Cambrai Direct hits were registered on a railway marshalling yard, three bombs straddling the entrance and tearing up the tracks for hundreds of yards. Railway lines elsewhere in the neighbourhood were expensively damaged, as well as impbrt- ’ ant -crossroads. Before leaving their objectives, the enemy-occupied aerodrome at Cambra’ was also bombed, bursts being observed on the runway and nearby buildings. At Le Cateau” many direct hits were scored on roads and railways. TRAIN HIT. Further north a shallow dive attack was made on a train, six bombs bursting on the permanent way and almost certainly wrecking the engine and the first few coaches. The regions of St. Quentin and Douai were also visited by other bombers, where many important roads were blocked. The principal oil depots attacked last night were near Hamburg. Alter a bombardment lasting several hours many oil .tanks were set fire, and adjoining works were also seen to be in flames. In the first attack a fire was started in th'e centre of a depot and, though the flames were not high, they clearly illuminated the surrounding oil tanks and served to guide the following aircraft to the target. In one later attack three heavy bombs were seen to burst on the eastern end of the. depot starting two more fires, which spread as the raids developed. I Attacks were then made on another of the works, and by the time the last bombers turned for home a chain of fire was seen over the whole target area. Another oil depot near the Iviei Canal was also bombed by other air- j craft, which ■ also attacked" military objectives in Heligoland. Other heavy bombers penetrating Germany bombed railway marshalling yards at Wedau, Eschweiler. and llheydt. South of Geidern fires were started along the railway line, and it is thought that traffic must have been dislocated as a result of the attack. “The fires were burning steadily when last seen/’.it is reported. A French communique states: Our Air Force has continued to destroy German railway communications in the Rhine district, as well as works in the same region. During all of these operations 35 enemy ’planes. were brought down by our fighter planes and anti-aircraft fire, and seven more also probably destroyed.” . A French official Air Ministry communique states: “The battle on the Somme started yesterday. Our Air Force entered at once into action, attacking enemy columns as well as tanks and motorised units with the greatest courage. Our crews continued this morning and afternoon operations in close contact with our land forces. Fires as a result of this action were observed at a number of points. Numerous targets were hit, including the destruction of convoys and considerable material. Our fighter ’planes undertook many flights, accompanying bombing missions and protecting our supplies. “The result obtained has not yet been determined, but it is confirmed that during yesterday more than forty German ’planes were brought down and 150 tons of explosives were dropped on the front and on the enemy rearguard. “Our observation and reconnaissance ’planes were also very active.”