HUGE FIRES

Waikato Times, Volume 128, Issue 21371, 15 March 1941, Page 10

HUGE FIRES

CONTINENT BATTERED SUPPLY SHIPS SUNK LARGE FORCES BEATEN (omcial Wireless) (Received March 15,11 a.m.) RUGBY, March 14 An Air Ministry communique states: In the clear light of a full moon the Bomber Command last ni£ht delivered the heaviest attack i to which objectives at Hamburg • have been subjected. 1 Heavy bombs fell on the shipbuilding yards, which had received special attention the night before, and on docks and warehouses, where many large fires broke out. Other targets near the south bank of the Elbe were left burning fiercely. Aircraft of the Home Command attacked oil storage plants at Rotterdam, causing huge fires. Minor attacks were made on Bremen and Emden, and a single aircraft bombed two aerodromes in Holland. Aircraft of the Coastal Command carried out many flights yesterday and last night. About mid-day a direct hit was obtained on the stern of an enemy supply ship off the Norwegian coast, and others were machine-gunned. Last night aircraft torpedoed and sank a supply ship off the Frisian Islands. From all these operations six of our planes are missing. Royal Air Force fighters shot down an enemy bomber in the sea off the Welsh coast this morning. Fourteen To Nil The destruction in one engagement oil 14 enemy bombers, against no British losses, is recorded in a Royal Air Force Middle East communique today, which states: During an offensive patrol in the Tepelini-Kelcyra area in Albania yesterday Royal Air Force fighters encountered formations of 79’s, escorted by over 50 fighters, Gso’s and CR42’s. Although greatly outnumbered, our fighters immediately attacked and shot down fourteen, twelve being CR’42’s and two Gso’s. A number of others were severely damaged. We lost no aircraft. On the night -of March 12 our bombers attacked Valona aerodrome and Assseno Island, off Valona Bay. Considerable damage was caused to buildings and the aerodrome. Tripoli Naval Base Damaged The naval base main quay at Tripoli was heavily raided on the same night. Bombs fell along the entire length of the quayside, causing fires and one very large explosion near a lighthouse. A road junction and military buildings at Zliten (near the coast east of Tripoli) were also bombed. There has been considerable air activity in and around Keren, in Eritrea. Motor transports, railway and road bridges, and an enemy troop gun position were bombed and machine-gunned. In Abyssinia aircraft of the South African Air Force continued to support our advancing troops. From all these operations all our planes returned.