SIX-HOUR ATTACK

Wairarapa Times-Age, 12 February 1941, Page 5

SIX-HOUR ATTACK

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MADE ON WAR FACTORIES IN HANOVER DESTRUCTIVE ONSLAUGHT BY R.A.F. FIRES THROUGHOUT TARGET AREA. R.A.F. bombers, the 8.8. C. states, on Monday night carried out a very heavy attack on the industrial district of Hanover, in North-West Germany. The Air Ministry reports that of the planes engaged, ninety per cent reached their objectives. The attack lasted for six hours. The weather was unsatisfactory at firs', but improved as the night wore on. Fires were started in the opening phase of the attack in the north, south and west of the target area and these fires showed later arrivals where to drop their heavy bombs. By the time the last planes left, fires were raging throughout the bombed area.

Oil installations in Holland were also > bombed, as was Boulogne, which had ■ been visited in daylight. Bombers of the Coastal Command i bombed Cherbourg, Calais and Ostend. ■ where large fires broke out. From all these operations', four of our aircraft are missing. Heavy explosions on the French coast in the region of Boulogne were heard from the south coast of England . today after many planes had been | heard flying overhead. ' DAMAGED BOMBER DIFFICULT JOURNEY HOME FROM NORWAY. i RADIO OPERATOR FATALLY : WOUNDED. ißritish Official Wireless. ( RUGBY. February 10. The pilot of one of the Coastal Command Beaufort bombers who saw bombs explode among ships in a German convoy which was hugging the coast of southern Norway reported that shortly afterward a Messerschmitt 110 attacked the Beaufort with both machine-guns and cannon. It was quickly driven off. but not before the Beaufort had been damaged and the wireless operator fatally wounded. For the return journey across the North Sea the rear gunner took over the radio and carried on with the signals to the base. The navigator went into the rear turret. In this cramped space, with his charts on his knees, he worked out the course and gave them to the pilot over the inter-communica-tion telephone. At the end of the flight the Beaufort made a perfect landing. CONSIDERED LOST ENEMY BOMBERS ATTACKED BY NIGHT FIGHTERS. LONDON, February 11. It has now been revealed that night fighters of the R.A.F. so severely damaged two Heinkel bombers last night that they may be considered lost. They were last seen disappearing a few feet above the water line, and seemed to be out of control. : ITALIAN REPORT (Received This Day, 9.25 a.mJ I ROME. February 11. The Stefani News Agency, comment-1 ing on the R.A.F.’s attempt to reach Berlin, said: “Bombs were dropped all i over the place, but failed to hit military objectives."

DAYLIGHT RAIDS ON ENEMY-OCCUPIED PORTS DOCKS AND SHIPPING BOMBED EFFECTIVELY. (British Official Wireless,) (Received This Dav. 9.20 a.m.) RUGBY. February 11. An Air Ministry communique says: Three sweeps were carried out by the R.A.F. on Boulogne, Dunkirk and Calais, when two enemy aircraft were destroyed. The sweeps were carried out in daylight, and although not on a large scale, reports show that the bombing of docks and shipping was most effective. Little fighter opposition was encountered but in the attack on Calais there was considerable anti-aircraft lire Three R.A.F. lighters are missing. AIR MINISTRY REPORT DAMAGE IN MANY AREAS (British Official Wireless.' RUGBY. February 11. A heavy, concentrated and very successful attack on Hanover and other targets in north-west Germany and occupied territories is described in an Air Ministry communique which slates: "A very heavy attack was made last night on the industrial area of Hanover by Bomber Command aircraft Of the force employed in this operation more than 90 per cent, reached their objectives The attack, which lasted fur six hours, was carries! <mt in weather poor at first, but steadily improving as lite night advanced In the opening stages fires were started north, south and west of the target area These showed later arrivals where to drop their heavy-calibre high explosives. By the' tune the last of our aircraft left, fires, :<>•> numerous b<- vomited, were rag-j mg throughout -lie bombed area "Another smaller force attacked oil iiistallaiions and dock*; at Rotterdam, j Large fires and exulosmux were caused • "Several other targets in north-west ( Germany and two aerodromes in Hoi-j la ml wen- a visited. "In addition aircraft <;f the same com-i n’.and successfully ntlacked Boulogne j harbour, which had been previously ’ bombed m daylight. "Coast:;! Command aircraft bombed I':.'.';. ami <>-tend, v. in:*- large re- in I. •• ■ ■' j-';-. m ail t!;<• ■ ;,‘-i at. ■ f- :ir .f■ u r RADIO SILENCE PROLONGED IN GERMANY. INDICATION <iF RAF ACTIVITY LONDON. February It. <• • -.! Sv ’J.f fur*. •>;,{* •?.«■ :: .. .■ 1,-.- mar. :.wi; - • tat: :* tm- ,i : li ■ si;

•Re < <-i ThLav. WMI am > RUGBY February 1!