RAID ON RHINELAND

Wairarapa Times-Age, 1 June 1942, Page 4

RAID ON RHINELAND

EASILY THE GREATEST YET THREE THOUSAND TOMS OF BOMBS DROPPED, EFFORTS OF THE LUFTWAFFE DWARFED. (By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright) (Received This Day, 12.20 p.rn.) LONDON, May 31. It is now reckoned that probably 1,250 planes, of which more than a thousand were bombers, particiuated in the colossal raid against the Ruhr and Rhineland, and, considering the types of planes used, it is estimated that practically 3,000 tons of bombs were dropped. This is easily the biggest loan released on one night iln this war. The highest tonnage the Luftwaffe released over Britain was 500 tons, over Coventry, For the first time all the R.A.F. commands were concerned in one night’s operations, including the Army Co-operation Command, which is equipped with Blenheims and Tomahawk. .There has never before been such a collection of different types of planes engaged together. At least thirteen types were involved, of which the “heavies” consisted of four-en-gined Lancasters, Stirlings and Halifaxes and twin-engined Manchesters, Wellingtons and Hampdens. There were also Hudsons, Blenheims, Spitfires, Hurricanes, Havocs, Beaufighters and Tomahawks for other purposes. The Stirlings and Lancasters are capable each of carrying eight tons to Germany and the Halifax 5> tons. The average bomb load of the mixed types is just under two tons for each machine. Air experts in London consider that the British losses of 44, from the huge number of planes used, is highly satisfactory. Ten per cent is generally regarded as a high mark for losses and the losses in this instance were about four per cent. The bombers took off at exactly regulated intervals, each with a bomb load appropriate to its type and the part it was playing in the attack. To saturate the defence of one of the most heavily defended areas in Germany, the attack was to take not more than ninety minutes, with bombers coming in at the rate of one every six seconds, the object being to distract the gun and searchlight crews and prevent them from concentrating on any single plane for any length of time. The weather was an important aspect. Meteorologists early in the evening brought in satisfactory reports. Armourers worked as never before and bomb loads reached astronomical figures. There was keen competition between squadrons and between, stations to see which could put out the greatest number of planes. Senior officers decided that they would fly with crews under their command to see'for themselves the effect of this first four-figure attack against Germany. * BRITAIN THRILLED BY RAID & CHURCHILL’S MESSAGE. CROWDS WATCH ALL NIGHT ON SOUTH COAST. (Received This Day, 1.35 p.m.) LONDON, May 31. _ Britain was thrilled when it heard the story of the thousand raiding bombers and again thrilled when it heard Mr Churchill’s mes- j sage saying that this was the herald of what Germany would received from now onwards. Crowds all along the South Coast heard and watched almost all night masses of planes passing over. A correspondent describes it as an unforgettable experience. The roar of engines was like that of a gigantic waterfall. “The Times,” in a leader, says: “Ever since the Germans loosed war upon the world they have boasted of the havoc wrought by the Luftwaffe and the terror it inspired. They gloated over Warsaw, Rotterdam and Belgrade. Hitler threatened that English cities would be wiped out if the British continued to stand up to him. Hitler did his best to carry out his threat through a long series of terror raids and hardly a city in Britain does not -bear the mark of his savagery. Now the striking power is passing from the Luftwaffe to the R.A.F. Germany is beginning to realise the folly she committed in entrusting her destiny to Hitler and his comrades in crime.” A German communique states that British bombers made a terror raid on the centre of Cologne city. High-ex-plosives and incendiaries caused great damage, particularly in residential quartets and also to several public buildings, including three churches and two hospitals. The attack was directed exclusively against civilians. Thirty-seven raiders were shot down. The Berlin radio, commenting- on the, raid, said: “German retaliation will follow and the British public will have* Churchill to thank for it.” ’ . FOUR ENEMY PLANES SHOT DOWN BY BRITISH AIRCRAFT. (British Official Wireless.) (Received This Day, 1.0 p.m.) RUGBY, May 31. The Air Ministry states: “In last night’s attack on Cologne, three enemy aircraft were shot down by our bombers. A fourth was destroyed by our fighters over Holland.” ATTACKS BY DAY ENEMY ARMED TRAWLER SUNK. TWO OTHER VESSELS DRIVEN AGROUND. (British Official Wireless.) (Received This Day, 1.0 p.m.) RUGBY, May 31. the Air Ministry states: “Our fighters carried out a number of offensive operations over enemy-occupied territory today. Off the Dutch coast an armed trawler was set on fire and sunk. Two other vessels were driven aground. In Belgium, railway targets and barges were attacked and this evening sweeps were made over Northern France. In the course of these operations, four -enemy fighters yzere destroyed. Eight of ours are missing.