FACTORIES ATTACKED

Waikato Times, Volume 127, Issue 21207, 2 September 1940, Page 7

FACTORIES ATTACKED

DAMAGE NEAR BERLIN FIRES CAUSED BY BOMBS OIL STORES WRECKED (Cnued Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyrlrtit) LONDON, August 31 The official report dealing with the attack on a large factory on the outskirts of Berlin on Friday night states that four very large explosions were followed by a series of small ones. These were accompanied by two huge fires, with red flames rising 1500 feet, and a dense pall of black smoke.

The whole target was ablaze from end to end. and could be seen live minutes after leaving. At this time another big explosion was seen. An incendiary bomb was seen to fall on the target, and numerous blue-green fires started. Two long factory buildings and towers were seep by the light of the explosions. One building, on fire, was seen to collapse.

Among the military targets receiving direct hits were petrol installations, aircraft factories and aerodromes. An electrical works and adjoining railway jufiction suffered considerable damage. Explosions were continuing at the works 10 minutes after the attack.

Aircraft ruto Bombed Two sticks were seen to fall on an aircraft factory. Several ot the raiders attacked oil stocks elsewhere on the outskirts of the city. This target was bombed continuously. The fires in the area guided other pilots, who straddled it with bombs.

Bombs were also dropped north of Berlin, across a factory which makes war materials, and close to buildings on one of the city’s aerodromes. A petroleum store was bombed through clouds which made observations difficult, but observers reported that a deep red glow illuminated the undersides of the clouds as the aircraft left. Other aircraft over another of the city’s aerodromes scored direct hits, and fires were seen to break out near the aerodrome buildings. Hits were also made on a third aerodrome.