RAIDS ON CONTINENT

Waikato Times, Volume 127, Issue 21194, 17 August 1940, Page 7

RAIDS ON CONTINENT

ITALIAN FACTORIES HIT GERMAN CENTRES ATTACKED

ROYAL AIR FORCE ACTIVITY (United Press A.S3n.—Elec. Tel. copyright) (Received August 17, 11 a.m.) LONDON, August 16 An Air Ministry communique states: The Royal Air Force last night bombed the Fiat aero-engine works at Turin and a Caproni aeroplane factory at Milan. They also hit a blast furnace at Genoa. Other strong forces attacked important French, German and Dutch objectives. Oil Plants Attacked Other strong forces of bombers attacked oil plants at Gelsenkirchen and Reisholz, munition factories at Luen, Essen, Gladbach and Dusseldorf, wharves at Emmerich, supply stores at Hamm and Soest, and several aerodromes in France, Holland and Germany. The dock basin at Helder was attacked by Coastal Command aircraft last night. Aircraft of this command, on night patrol, shot down an enemy seaplane. Three of our aircraft are missing from all these operations. Fires and Explosions Conditions generally were favourable, though some cloud and haze made complete observation difficult, when bombers attacked the Fiat works and Caproni aircraft factory last night. Enough was seen, however. to establish the fact that much damage was caused on Tuesday night, and both factories were again accurately bombed, causing fires and explosions. One pilot reported that visibility was good when lie arrived at the Fiat works, bright moonlight making flares unnecessary. He made several runs over the target, obtaining direct hits through the glass roof of the factory, and fires broke out, followed Ollier aircraft attacked a blast furnace at Genoa. One observer remarked after the completion of the attack: “The blast furnace was much more blasted when we ieft.”