ATTACKS ON FRANCE

Auckland Star, Volume LXXII, Issue 279, 25 November 1941, Page 8

ATTACKS ON FRANCE

Naval Bases And Enemy 'Dromes Bombed NIGHT FIGHTERS IN ACTION British Official Wire-less. Rec. 1 p.m. RUGBY, Nov. 24. While it was stated that British bombers last night attacked naval bases at Lorient and Brest, and docks at Dunkirk, the Air Ministry news service reports that aerodromes in France, from which German bombers operate against Britain, were also attacked by pilots of the Fighter Command during the night. The pilots were flying American-built Savoy machines and using a mixture of instantaneous and delayed action bombs.

At one aerodrome the landing lights were on when one of our aircraft arrived. After the explosion of the first bomb they were "doused" while searchlights and anti-arrcraft fire sought in vain for the British aircraft. Another pilot machinegunned enemy aircraft which was about to land and the rear-gunner put a searchlight out of action.

The Air Ministry states that no British aircraft is missing from these operations, but one Coastal Command aircraft did not return from patrol yesterday.

An official communique states: "Early last night there was slight enemy activity mainly over the south-west coast of England. A small number of persons were injured and a few houses were slightly damaged. Two enemy aircraft were destroyed."

A single enemy aircraft dropped bombs this afternoon on a point on the coast of East Anglia, states a communique. No damage or casualties were reported.