RAIDS ON NORWAY

Manawatu Standard, Volume LX, Issue 243, 11 September 1940, Page 7

RAIDS ON NORWAY

FLEET ARM OPERATIONS.

OIL TANKS DESTROYED. (United Press Association—Copyright.) (British Official Wireless.) (Rec. 10 a.m.) RUGBY, Sept. 10. Further successes by the Fleet Air Arm against enemy supply ships off the Norwegian coast are disclosed in an Admiralty communique which states that aircraft again carried out an offensive reconnaissance over the Norwegian coast yesterday.

This confirmed that two of the three tanks of the oil depot of Dolvic attacked by Skuas on August 8 are completely destroyed and the third tank and pipeline severely damaged. Yesterday’s Skuas attacked an enemy supply ship of about 2500 tons in the Haugesund, scoring hits. Enemy liuts south of the Bergen area were also attacked with bombs, and hits were obtained. Three of the huts were completely destroyed and the others damaged. Our aircraft encountered intense opposition from anti-aircraft batteries, and one Skua is missing. The Admiralty’s announcement, follows closely on other offensive operations over "the Norwegian coast. Skuas and Swordfish on September 8 left two enemy supply ships sinking and abandoned by their crews, all our aircraft returning safely. On August 28 Skuas set fire to oil tanks in the Bergen area and a motor patrol vessel, and also scored direct hits on a 2000-ton supply ship. All our aircraft returned safely.

Skuas on August 19 attacked two 3000-ton transports, obtaining direct hits on one of them, and also attacked oil tanks north of the Haugesund. All our aircraft returned safely.

Skuas on August 8 set fire to an oil depot at Dolvie, all our aircraft again returning safely. On August 1 Skuas successfully bombed a wireless' station and a 4000-ton supply ship. leaving the latter in a sinking condition and abandoned by the crew. All our aircraft returned safely. Many offensive operations were carried out previous to this. These repeated attacks are adding considerably to the enemy’s difficulties in an area where sea transport and oil supplies are vital.