BRITISH BOMBERS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 21 March 1941, Page 5

BRITISH BOMBERS

4 HEAVY RAIDS ON COLOGNE AND LORIENT DAMAGE IN INDUSTRIAL AREAS. GERMAN DIVE-BOMBER DESTROYED. In an attack on the submarine base at Lorient by the R.A.F., the 8.8. C. states, bombs dropped on the docks did much damage and started destructive fires which were still spreading when the airmen left on their return journey. Cologne, which was also attacked, was heavily raided between 9 and 10 p.m. and considerably more damage resulted than in raids which have taken much longer. Railways and the industrial quarters near the Rhine suffered most. One heavy bomber, while proceeding to Cologne, was attacked by a Messerschmitt 110. In a running ,fight the enemy machine was badly knocked about and probably destroyed, while the bomber continued to Cologne to complete its job. Aerodromes in the Low Countries were also attacked. At Rotterdam, oil stores were again bombed. All the British machines returned. A fighter of the Coastal Command failed to return from a daylight reconnaissance. A German dive-bomber which was attacking shipping, was destroyed by a drifter.

AIR MINISTRY REPORT

RESULTS CLEARLY OBSERVED. LARGE BUILDING BLOWN TO PIECES. (Received This Day, 9.5 a.m.) RUGBY, March 20. An Air Ministry communique states: “Last night aircraft of the Bomber Command subjected Cologne to a fierce attack. Communications and industrial quarters on the east bank of the Rhine were the main targets. The weather was good and results were clearly observed. Several factories were hit and a large building was seen to disintegrate under the impact of heavy bombs. Two other factories were set on fire and were seen to be burning furiously. Many other fires broke out along the railway.

“Oil storage tanks at Rotterdam and three aerodromes in the Low Countries were also successfully attacked. “None of our aircraft arc missing.”