HEAVY TOLL

Taranaki Daily News, 14 September 1940, Page 7

HEAVY TOLL

British Official Wireless.

R.A.F. RAIDERS

HAMMER BLOWS STRUCK

GREAT DESTRUCTION

Rec. 5.5 p.m. Rugby, Sept. 12. The impressive scale of recent Royal Air Force attacks on military objectives can best be appreciated from a summary of the number of raids on specific targets. Since the beginning of Septernber until Wednesday morning — the period during which the brunt of the Nazi attack has fallen on London— the Royal Air Force has made the following raids: — Twenty-three attacks on Germanoccupied aerodromes in France, 18 on German aerodromes, 10 on aerodromes in Holland and two on aerodromes in Belgium, during which many high explosive bombs were dropped, hits being secured on hangars. Fifteen raids on forests concealing military objectives. Great tracts of the Black Forest weer set ablaze and equal success was achieved in the Thuringerwald, the Ober Hartz and forests near Berlin. Thirty-five attacks on the German rail system, including the large Potsdam station at Berlin. Considerable damage was caused in the marshalling yards and sidings and to the tracks. Big Fires in Harbours. Twenty-nine raids on German and German-occupied docks and shipyards where big fires and explosions were caused. Twelve raids on barge concentrations. Five attacks on canal and river systems. Fourteen raids On munition works, amongst which was Krupps. Eight attacks on aircraft works, including the B.M.S. factory at Munich. Sixteen raids on oil refineries. Nine raids on nre stations. The West Charlottenburg station near Berlin was bombed for two successive nights. Many direct hits were scored, numerous flashes and explosions resulting. Seven attacks on gun emplacements on the French coast. Eleven attacks on shipping. Three attacks on Italian objectives, including the aero engine works at Turin. Many other varied military objectives including gasworks, blast furnaces and light installations.