DOCKS AT BREST BOMBED

Dominion, Volume 34, Issue 136, 5 March 1941, Page 10

DOCKS AT BREST BOMBED

Heavy Damage Done

RAID LASTS FOR TWO HOURS (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, March 3. The docks at Brest, from which enemy surface raiders and submarines attack British shipping in the Atlantic, were heavily bombed for nearly two hours last night by aircraft of the Bomber Command, states the Air Ministry news service. The attack began soon after 5.30 p.m. The sky was clear, and many sticks of bombs were seen to burst about a dry dock where a German cruiser of the Hipper class was recently located. No direct hits on the cruiser were actually seen, but several pilots reported that their bombs must either have fallen on the vessel or so close as to damage it. Certainly the docks themselves suffered very badly. One pilot was guided on the last 25 miles of his outward journey by an especially big blaze. As the raid developed the weather became worse, and later arrivals had to contend not only with searchlights all round the harbour, and with fierce anti-aircraft fire, but also with thick cloud, which more often than not hid the results of their bombing.

The docks at Calais and ijmuiden were also bombed, and at Rotterdam one pilot, bombing through. a clear patch of sky, started a fire among tall buildings around the harbour. An Air Ministry communique states that in addition to the daylight operations reported above, aircraft of the Coastal Command yesterday attacked a convoy of enemy supply ships in the North Sea. In the course of the attack a vessel of about 2000 tons was torpedoed amidships. Aircraft of the Bomber Command attacked a Seaplane base, and also enemy shipping off the Shetland Islands.

Two of the British bombers are missing. The Distinguished Flying Medal has been awarded to a rear gunner, Sergeant Akeroyd, who, according to the official accoount, was carrying out his duties in one formation of aircraft detailed to attack an enemy camp.

While approaching the target, the formation was attacked by six enemy fighters, and Sergeant Akeroyd was wounded in a finger. Later he was hit in the right arm and finally in the ' stomach. In spite of his injuries he returned the fire at every opportunity. His wireless was smashed, and when the attackers had been driven off he crawled forward and informed the pilot of his injuries and the extent of the damage to the aircraft. He displayed great courage and fortitude throughout.

RAIDS OVER BRITAIN NOT HEAVY

Cardiff Main Target LONDON, March 4. Enemy activity over Britain last night was not on a heavy’ scale. The main target was Cardiff, where high explosive and incendiary bombs were drooped. Churches, shops and houses were damaged. Fires were started, but all were put out after a few hours. One of the raiders is believed to have been shot down. The Air Ministry states that in an air raid on a town in the south-west of England on Sunday night some houses were damaged and a small number of casualties were caused. There was also a little enemy activity in the early part of the night over east and south England and East Anglia. No serious casualties were reported.