GIBRALTAR RAID

Taranaki Daily News, 27 September 1940, Page 7

GIBRALTAR RAID

SECOND FRENCH ATTACK ROCK HEAVILY POUNDED REPRISALS FOR DAKAR

Rec. 8.20 p.m. London, Sept. 26. One hundred French planes from Morocco yesterday afternoon subjected Gibraltar to its most severe attack since the outbreak of the war, it is officially stated. They dropped about 300 bombs of various sizes, many of which fell in the sea or on barren areas. Buildings, roads and old defences were considerably damaged, but little damage was done to military works or personnel. A small ship was hit and there was - a number of civilian casualties, some .of which were fatal. Anti-aircraft guns > shot down three planes, and possibly five. A number of bombs fell at La Linea. It is reported from La Linea that the planes circled the rock in waves of 10 for two hours five minutes. Smoke enveloped the arsenal and flames leapt from the naval base. Many fires were observed. Havas, a semi-official French news agency, reports that 100 tons of bombs were dropped on Gibraltar yesterday. Vichy officials declared that the battlecruiser Renown was hit during the air raid on Gibraltar on Tuesday and was compelled to leave port. It was officially stated from Vichy that, retaliatmg for the Dakar attack. a number of planes on Tuesday dropped 45 tons of bombs on Gibraltar, ffittlng the arsenal. the south mole and one big ship. Heavy smoke was observed. The bombs, caused far greater damage than any ln the past by the Italians and Germans. The raid would not be the last reprisal if the British continued to shell Dakar.