ROTTERDAM PORT SHIPPING SHAMBLES

Auckland Star, Volume LXXII, Issue 168, 18 July 1941, Page 8

ROTTERDAM PORT SHIPPING SHAMBLES

TERRIFIC ATTACK

R.A.F. Puts Out Of Action

100,000 Tons Urn : -II I 'Hi. i ll Win■ Kef. 1 -Mi:. lII'GIIV .Inly 17. I! is now possible to tell in greater detail the story of the daylight attack '•arried out yesterday by Blenheims of the Bomber Command, states the Air Ministry communique, which continues. "Air reconnaissance yesterday discovered a large concentration of shipping in Rotterdam, including many vessels of 4000 tons and upwards. It is from this port i hat. the enemy's garrisons in occupied territories largely arc supplied.

"A :-trong force of Blenheims, therefore, was dispatched. It crossed the Dutch coast soon after 4 p.m. oil Wednesday, flying in two waves. The Dutch population, first, in the fields and then in the streets of the city, waved a welcome to the Blenheims as they swept, into the attack, only ma.-.1. high. The destruction caused to the enemy's ships was great.

"Eleven ships, varying in tonnage between 10,000 and 20,000 tons, were hit and left smoking. The Rotterdamsehe, Lloyd liner Baioeran, a motor vessel of 17.000 tons, was hit by several bombs, one falling between the funnels, and debris from ihe ship was thrown high into the air.

"Two supply ships, each of 4000 tons, exploded, the flames from one towering above the attacking aircraft. A smaller vessel of the same kind was also hit amidships and exploded.

"In all, 17 ships of estimated tonnages between 90,000 and 100,000 lons have been put out of action either permanently or for a long time to come. Five more ships, totalling between 40,000 and 15,000 tons, were severely damaged.

"On land two warehouses and a factory were left, burning fiercely, in approaching the target the Blenheims flew over Dutch territory in a 'V' formation. Heavy opposition was encountered from ground defences, and four of our aircraft are missing. Two of these completed their attack and scored direct hits on ships before being shot down."

The captain of one bomber, who is a Canadian, said that as they approached the docks they saw a large liner, painted white, of 17,000 tons, towering over the other shipping and quays. He dived in between the high wireless aerial on the quayside and the liner's mast to get into a good attacking position.

"I had to bank to port to get in between, and then, while still at an angle of 45 degrees, we threw our bombs at the ship's side," he said. "One at least hit, and from the stern a column of white smoke rose 200 ft."

One of the bombers cut through the cable of a large crane in making an attack, while another bomber brought back brick-dust from a chimney. Tanker and Supply Ships The communique also states that the Bomber Command attacked industrial areas in Hamburg and several other objectives in north-west Germany last night. The weather again made observation of the results difficult, but fires were started and many high explosive bombs were seen to burst on the target. Docks and warehouses at Boulogne were also bombed. Three British aircraft are missing.

Beaufort aircraft of the Coastal Command attacked a 6000-ton enemy tanker in the Channel yesterday evening, in spite of fierce anti-air-craft fire from five escort ships. The tanker was hit amidships by torpedoes and left sinking.

Another aircraft of the Coastal Command attacked two enemy ships, each of about 2000 tons, on the prest coast of France. Hudson aircraft on patrol over the coast of Norway bombed an enemy ship of some 3000 tons. When last seen the vessel was on fire and settling down by the stern. No aircraft of the Coastal Command was lost in these operations, but one is missing from patrol yesterday.

Beaufort aircraft of the Coastal Command yesterday morning attacked an enemy supply ship of about 3500 tons off the north-west coast of France. A salvo of bombs was dropped, and hits were seen on the stern of the ship. The ship was cleverly camouflaged and was accompanied by a small escort vessel.

Munstei; Damage

Photographs shown in London prove that important military damage was inflicted after the first recent severe raids on Munster— described by the Germans as "the unhappy cathedral city with no war industries." In point of fact Munster has an aerodrome of considerable size and operational importance, and this has been heavily attacked. Many craters have been left in the airfield, and the aerodrome buildings have been completely burned out, and the barracks seriously damaged.

Munster is also an Important railway junction for east and west traffic, and this point also has been heavily attacked.

GROWING STRENGTH Australia's Share In Imperial Air Power NEW TRAINING SCHOOLS Rec. 11.30 a.m. RUGBY, July 17. Australia's great and growing contribution to the Imperial air strength is underlined by the opening this month of four new schools for training air crews in Australia, which was announced by the Minister of Air, Mr. J. McEwen. The latest site selected is for a bombing and gunnery school in Victoria at a cost of £300,000.

A school for training pilots, observers, wireless personnel and gunners under the Empire air training scheme is to be established in Gippsland, Victoria, at a cost of £250,000.

The expenditure on the Royal Australian Air Forcc during the present financial year, states the Dominions Office! will exceed 11.000.000 weekly. Over 101.700 application* for enlistment have been rcviv