DAY RAID ON ANTWERP

Press, Volume LXXIX, Issue 23916, 7 April 1943, Page 3

DAY RAID ON ANTWERP

LARGE FORCE OF U.S. BOMBERS R.A.F. ATTACKS BREST (N.Z. Press Association—Copyright) LONDON, April 5. It is officially announced that a large force of Fortresses and Liberators of the United States Bth Air Force attacked German-held industrial targets in Antwerp in daylight to-day. The weather over the target was clear and good bombing results were achieved. Fighter opposition was heavy and many combats ensued. The bombers destroyed a number of enemy aircraft. Squadrons of the Royal Air Force, Dominion. and Allied fighters supported and covered the bombers. They had several engagements with enemy fighters, two of which were destroyed. Four Allied bombers and one fighter are missing. The main target of the raid on Antwerp was the former Miners automobile factory, which is now serving as a German aircraft and engine repair plant. It was the first American attack on Antwerp. The Berlin radio announced .that four-engined American bombers this afternoon attacked the town and district of Antwerp, and added: “Direct hits on blocks of buildings caused fires, damage, and casualties. Many people are buried under the debris.” The Air Ministry states: “This afternoon Venturas of the Bomber Command, escorted by fighters, attacked docks and shipping at Brest. There was some opposition by enemy fighters, one of which was destroyed by our fighters. Three bombers and one fighter are missing.”, The pilot of a Stirling in Sunday night’s raid on Kiel, who did not make his bombing run until towards the end of the attack, said that the clouds were glowing a steady, unchanging red when he arrived. “After bombing,” he said, “we turned for home, and I suppose we must have done about 40 miles when my rear gunner shouted out over the inter-communication system that he had just seen a big explosion in the target area.” . , The Berlin radio admits that British bombers dropped high explosives and incendiaries on the north coast of Germany on Sunday night, but it claims that only slight damage was caused.

An Air Ministry communique reports slight enemy activity over some coastal districts of England on Sunday night, but no bombs were dropped. The German radio to-night denied that there had been clashes between conscripted workers and regular workers at Essen, following the big raid by the Royal Air Force on Saturday, when 900 tons of bombs were dropped on the city. The Paris radio has announced that Wednesday, the day fixed for the funeral of. those killed in the Royal Air Force raid on Billancourt, will be a day of mourning. All amusements will be closed and race meetings will be prohibited.

NEW ZEALANDERS IN R.A.F.

OPERATIONS OVER GERMANY (Special Correspondent, N.Z.P.A.)

(Rec. 7 p.m.) LONDON, April 5. Flying Officer R. Blyth (Wanganui), Sergeant M. F. Dillon (Cambridge) and Sergeant K. Campbell (Wellington) were members of the crew of a Wellington bomber which carried out three raids in four nights recently. They bombed Duisburg, St. Nazaire, and Borkum. Flying Officer Blyth, who has mow carried out 15 raids, said: ‘‘There was nothing unusual about them. There were certainly good fires going at St. Nazaire.” He and his crew were in one of the big raids against Essen, which is among the "hottest” targets throughout Germany. He said: “There was no mistaking the target. We went in weaving, dropped our bombs, and made of! for home quick and lively.” On the same station is an Australian squadron in which are serving Flying Officers A. A. Macfarlane (North Canterbury), and J. B. Smith (Wellington), and Flight Sergeant L. B. Renolds (Waipukurau). A „ _ Squadron Leader C. W. Scott, A.F.C. (Balclutha), has been promoted to wing commander. He carried out his tour of operations with the 75th Squadron and is now commanding a training station. Sub-Lieutenant R. M. Anderson, Fleet Air Arm, who belongs to Christchurch. was landed as a survivor at Gibraltar while proceeding to North Africa.

GERMAN TRAFFIC ACROSS SWEDEN

PROTEST MEETING IN STOCKHOLM * \ SYMPATHY WITH NORWAY LONDON, April 5. “Eighteen hundred Swedes who disapproved of the transit of German troops through Sweden to Norway attended a pro-Norwegian demonstration to-night,” says the Stockholm correspondent of the “Daily. Express.” "The speakers included the Dean of Stockholm Cathedral,' Trade union leaders, and editors of the Liberal and Social Democratic newspapers. “The rally followed several hundreds of meetings throughout the country at which resolutions were passed demanding the cessation of the traffic, ‘in view of the sufferings of the Norwegian people.’ “The Government considers that changes in the war situation have not diminished the dangers to Sweden or worsened relations with the Germans, and -that the stoppage of the traffic would be a sign of dishonourable instability in' Swedish policy. Opposition leaders are pressing the Government either to end traffic now or to issue a statement to the effect that it will end if fighting in Norway is resumed." "The Times,” in a leading article, says: “The Swedish Government's contention since the summer of 1940 has been that Norway is no longer an active front. This is the merest fict’on and has never been accepted by the British Government as valid. Sweden may be said to be in Germany’s economic grip, but Sweden has responsibilities in the war which cannot be Disregarded on the pica of too close, proximity to Germany. She has responsibilities to Norway, which was so treacherously overrun. Sweden also has responsibilities in the larger battle for a free demand for democratic ways of life.”

NEW ZEALAND NAVAL PROMOTIONS

(Special Australian Corresp., N.Z.P.A.) (Rec. 7 p.m.) LONDON, April 5. The following personnel of the Royal New Zealand Naval Volunteer Reserve have been promoted to lieutenant: J. Caradus (Dunedin), M. R. Carter, and H. S. Latimer. The following have been promoted to temporary acting sub-lieutenants; L. H. Clarke (Te Kuiti), V. C. M. Hall (Wellington), also A. P. Gurnsey. The following members of the Fleet Air Arm have been promoted:—Lieutenant, A. C. Martin (Auckland): temporary acting sub-lieutenants, O. E. Lobb (Wellington), W. E. Eastman (New Plymouth), M. Rivett (Hastings), R. L. Bamford (Gore), P. D. Herrold (Rotorua), also J. H. McKinnon and A. C. McCracken.

The following have been made midshipmen: A. S. Anderson (Christchurch) and B. F. O’Neill.