"EARTHQUAKE" BOMBS

Auckland Star, Volume LXXV, Issue 175, 26 July 1944, Page 5

"EARTHQUAKE" BOMBS

R.A.F. Drops Heaviest Missiles * On Flying Bomb Sites LONDON HOSPITAL DAMAGED Rec. 11.30 a.m. RUGBY, July 25. R.A.F. Lancasters this morning dropped many 12,0001b bombs on a large concrete structure in the Pas de Calais, which appears to be connected with the enemy's threatened long-range rocket assaults on England. It is the site at Watten to which Mr. Churchill referred in the House of Commons on July 6. It was first attacked in September, 1943, and has since been heavily bombed at intervals by R.A.F. and United States heavy bombers. This morning conditions were perfect for aiming the R.A.F.'s "earthquake" bombs, and the first reports say direct hits were obtained. Early this morning, the Air Ministry states, R.A.F. Lancasters, with fighter cover, attacked flying bomb i launching sites in Northern France I and a site which appeared to be connected with the enemy's threatened use of long-distance rockets. None of our aircraft Is missing.

More flying bombs came over Southern England, including the London area, last night. St Thomas' Hospital, London, is among the buildings which have been hit recently by flying bombs. Fortunately the bomb fell on an empty wing which was damaged in earlier raids. Deep beneath this block is the Nuffield Ward, which has been reinforced against blast. None of the patients in this ward was injured. German flying bomb launching sites in Northern France were attacked by heavy bombera'tet night.