FRENCH WAVE TO BRITISH BOMBERS

Auckland Star, Volume LXXII, Issue 165, 15 July 1941, Page 7

FRENCH WAVE TO BRITISH BOMBERS

SHIPS ABLAZE Germany Again Pounded In Night Attacks British Official Wireless Rec. 2 p.m. RUGBY, July M. An Air Ministry communique says that in daylight early this morning Blenheim aircraft of the Bomber Command, escorted by fighters, attacked docks and shipping at Cherbourg and Le Havre. At Cherbourg a ship of about 6000 tons, was hit and set on fire Direct hits were iLso seen on the railway station south of the docks, on locomotive sheds and on a factory. At Le Havre a ship of about 0009 tons was hit, and later seen halfsubmerged. Later in the morning another escorted formation of Blenheims attacked railway yards at Hazebrouck, in northern France. Many sticks of hombs were seen to fall on the target. Seven enemy lighters were destroyed in the course Df these operations. Two RJL.F. bombers and four fighters are missing. The attack on Cherbourg met some resistance from light anti-air-craft and machine-guns in the town ind in the forts about it, but the townspeople gave the aircraft a verv iifferent welcome. As the bombers roared over the housetops 'the streets were crowded with people ivaving to them. One bomber attacked an enemy merchant vessel in i transatlantic dock. The results of the attack were seen by the crew of mother bomber. One bomb fell jirectly on the ship, and an explosion was followed by columns of smoke. After the attack the bomber wrent on to machine-gun a column of German military transport in tbctown. Railway Station Smashed Another Blenheim dropped its bombs on the railway station. The bombs fell on the station itself, and one was seen to skid along the railway line and burst in the mouth of a tunnel. Railway buildings and a crane were also hit. Locomotive sheds and an important factory building south-west of the transatlantic docks were attacked by other aircraft. None of the enemy fighters got through the protective screen of fighters to intercept the R-A-F. bombers. In the attack on the railway yards at Hazebrouck the R-A-F. fighters also kept the enemy away while the bombers straddled the target with high explosives. Other Ships Attacked Further R.A.F. successes during the day against enemy shipping are announced in another Air Ministry communique, which says: ■"During a search for enemy shipping this afternoon Blenheim aircraft of the Bomber Command attacked a small ronvoy off the Dutch Frisian Islands. 3ne vessel of 6000 tons received hree direct hits, and another of 3000 xms was hit on the stern. An escort vessel of 1500 tons was hit aft and imidships. An enemy fighter which lttacked the British bombers was shot down into the sea. From this jperation none of the R.A.F. aircraft ire missing." An official communique states thai i small number of enemy aircraft iave been off the British coasts tolay and a few have flown inland nit there are no reports of any x>inbs having been dropped. Two ;nemy bombers were destroyed this. ifternoon. one by anti-aircraft gunire on the east coast of Scotland tnd the other by fighters off the xrast of Wales. Cities and Docks Attacked An Air Ministry communique tales: "Aircraft of the Bomber Command were again over northvest Germany last night, though he weather continued to be unavourable. They attacked industrial argets over a wide area, especially n Bremen and Begesack. "The docks at Amsterdam and Jstend were also bombed, and fires vere started among oil storacc anks at Rotterdam. Aircraft of the lighter Command, on an offensive Jatrol. attacked eiwmv aerodromes n Northern France during the nighi ■>om these operations one aircraft >f the Bomber Command is missing"'