AIR ATTACKS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 16 May 1940, Page 6

AIR ATTACKS

ALLIED OPERATIONS NEAR SEDAN BOMBING RAIDS IN GERMANY AND ELSEWHERE DAMAGE TO COMMUNICATIONS. (British Official Wireless.) (Received This Day, 12.40 p.m.) RUGBY, May 15. The Ail’ Ministry announces that further details have been received of yesterday's Allied air attack in the Sedan area. Yesterday morning it was seen that a heavy offensive was developing at crossings of the Meuse. Light bombers were sent out to attack the pontoon bridges which the enemy had thrown across the river. Several of these bridges were destroyed and although subjected to intense anti-air-craft fire, all our aircraft returned safely. Later in the day, as the situation had deteriorated, forces of British and French bombers launched a combined attack on the crossings of the Meuse and the main lines of advancing reinforcements. The attack was opened by a large wave of French bombers with fighter escorts and followed up by still heavier British formations. Over 150 Allied aricraft took part in this operation, in which four bridges were destroyed, large tank and troop concentrations broken up and roads blocked. The effect of this operation was to halt the German advance in the Sedan sector and enable the French to launch a vigorous counter attack. Throughout the day extensive bombing operations were also carried out on other parts of the battle front. Considerable damage was inflicted on the enemy. During the night bombing raids were carried out in German on the enemy's lines and communications.

Relays of fighter patrols, in some of which French and British pilots flew in company, were carried out yesterday from dawn till dusk. Sections of our fighter aircraft engaged enemy formations at considerable odds. In one instance, six Hurricanes attacked 54 Messerschmitt 110’s and a number of bombers. In another, three Hurricanes engaged nine Heinkels. Reports from our fighter pilots show that the enemy bombing formations were often broken up by the dash of our attack. Apart from operations in the Sedan area, where success could not have been achieved without casualties being sustained, the balance of aircraft losses remains heavily in the Allied favour. Reconnaissance patrols were flown along the Dutch coast, where many wrecked aircraft were seen on the beaches and fields around The Hague.