ATTACK ON BREST

Wairarapa Times-Age, 1 April 1941, Page 5

ATTACK ON BREST

NAZI BATTLE-CRUISERS LOCATED PLANES SWEEP IN FROM ALL SIDES. LARGE FIRES LEFT BURNING. On Sunday night a successful attack was made by the R.A.F. on Brest, which is used by the Germans as a base for surface raiders, a broadcast by the 8.8. C. stated this morning. The battle-cruisers Scharnhorst and Gneisnau are now berthed at Brest, one in dry dock and the other alongside a quay. The British aircraft swept in from every quarter and some of the bombs dropped were the biggest ever used for this class of target. Several large and persistent fires were left burning. AIR MINISTRY REPORT BOMBS STRADDLE DOCKS FROM ALL SIDES. NO BRITISH PLANES LOST. , (British Official Wireless.) (Received This Day. 10.22 a.m.) RUGBY, March 31. An Air Ministry communique states: “Brest, where the Scharnhorst and Gneisenau are known to be sheltering, bore the main weight of a R.A.F. attack last night. This was carried out by a powerful force of the Bomber Command. “Direct hits on the ships were not observed but the docks in which they were lying were straddled from all directions, by medium, large and very large bombs. Many more or these fell on the quayside and bursts were seen all over the dock area. Fires broke out soon afterwards and were burning well when the last of our aircraft left. “A smaller force of the same Command bombed the harbour at Calais, and started many fires. “From these operations none of our planes are missing." • DIRECT HITS SCORED ON ENEMY TANKERS. BOMBER COMMAND SUCCESS. (Received This Day. 9.3 a.m.) LONDON, March 31. It is learned in London that in the course of daylight operations this morning, aircraft of the Bomber Command scored five direct hits on two enemy tankers off Le Havre'. Both tankers were set on fire and were sinking. NIGHT RAIDERS MET BY TERRIFIC DEFENCE AT BRISTOL. BUT EXTENSIVE DAMAGE DONE. LONDON. March 30. Night raiders made an intense blitz against a town in the west of England last night. Many of them were driven back by terrific defence from the ground. Extensive damage was done to buildings and casualties were caused. There was a small raid on the west Midlands. It is revealed that among buildings which were damaged in Plymouth on March 21 were the Guildhall and the American Consulate. The latter was severely damaged when an explosive bomb hit the adjoining Y.M.C.A. building, which was destroyed. The Berlin radio says that last night bombers attacked harbour works and docks at Bristol and factories and other objectives in the neighbourhood. Fires and explosions were observed.