R.A.F. ONSLAUGHT

Manawatu Standard, Volume LX, Issue 244, 12 September 1940, Page 8

R.A.F. ONSLAUGHT

RELENTLESS BOMBING. CALAIS DOCKS STRICKEN, (United Press Association —Copyright.) (British Official Wireless.) (Pec. 2 p.m.) RUGBY, Sept. Hi The great onslaught which the It.A.F, has been making against the German war machine was continued on Tuesday night with relentless precision and energy. Some of the heaviest attacks were made against the barge concentrations and shipping docks in the French Channel ports.

Calais dock bore the brunt of the attack, barges and harbour stores and an equipment store being bombed. Sal voes and sticks of bombs were dropped over Carnot basin and were observed to burst among the many barges which were packed together, and a large part of the dock area was left in flames. One fire alone enveloped at least 200 yards of the waterfront.

Guns Were silenced and searchlights extinguished around the harbour. One pilot spent an hour over his objective, dodging shells and weaving his way in and out of t'he clouds Biding his time the bomb aimer let go his bombs and sticks were laid accurately across the docks. MERCHANT SHIP IN FLAMES.

A clear gap in the clouds enabled another crew lo drop their bombs right along the barges massed along the Carnot basin. As high explosives were poured into the paeited vessels, winch lined the whole side of the-basin and extended three-quarters of the way across it, chunks of debris were flung into the air, fires again broke out, and explosions were going on as the aircraft left. The observer of one bomber saw a large merchant ship about a mile north of the channel leading to the docks suddenly burst into flames and burn fiercely The attack on Calais lasted for three hours. Ostend harbour was bombed from 9 p.m. on Tuesday until nearly 5 a.m. on Wednesday. Repeatedly sticks of heavy bombs straddled the barges lying in the ports and ships were directly hit by a strong section of raiders which attacked the harbour just before midnight and between 3 a.m. and 4 a.m. Heavy explosions in the dock area followed attacks by another section of bombers.

Enemy ships in Boulogne harbour were also bombed. Other squadrons flew further north in a raid on Flushing. Many bombs were seen to fall on the docks, merchant vessels and 15boats. Dieppe was also attacked. After bomb explosions two of six Eboats vanished and are believed to have been sunk. Meanwhile the enemy gun emplacements a* Capo Griz Nez were attacked again..