MANY RAIDS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 15 March 1941, Page 5

MANY RAIDS

ATTACK ON CLYDESIDE OUTCLASSED BY BRITISH OPERATIONS. LUFTWAFFE TAKES SECOND PLACE. LONDON, March 14. The R.A.F. last night kept up its relentless attacks on Germany by bombing Hamburg for the second night in succession. Details are not yet,available, but the Germans say that Hamburg and other northern German coastal towns were attacked. They admit that a large number of explosive and incendiary bombs caused 'damage to military and industrial targets. The latest German night raids on Britain were directed mainly at the Clydeside and Merseyside. Further evidence of the success of the British defences was given by the shooting down of eight enemy raiders. There was a full moon and bright conditions for the raid. The Air Ministry states that in a heavy and prolonged attack on the Clydeside, which has been comparatively free from raids for some months, industrial buildings and many houses were damaged. The casualties, though serious, were not heavy in relation to the scale of the raid. Fires were started in a north-east town, but they were quickly extinguished. Merseyside was sharply attacked. The most serious damage was to houses in a residential district. Casualties were not heavy.

The Germans announced 'that strong forces were used in these attacks. Tons of incendiary and high-explo-sive bombs were scattered over a wide area in west Scotland by successive waves of raiders early in the morning. It was the longest and heaviest raid of the war in this area. Early reports, however, indicate that casualties were light. An encouraging feature of the British defences has been the increasing success of the night fighters. They were responsible for destroying five out of nine enemy machines shot down on Wednesday, and last night struck more severe blows. Commentators acclaim Wednesday night’s raid on Berlin —the greatest of the war —as a sure sign that Britain’s air supremacy is being maintained. The activities of the Luftwaffe took second place.