R.A.F. DAY RAIDS

Dominion, Volume 34, Issue 182, 30 April 1941, Page 7

R.A.F. DAY RAIDS

Sign of Growing •

Strength BOMBING OF REICH Prelude To 24-Hour Offensive

(British Official Wireless and Press Assn.) (Received' April 29, 8.30 p.m.) LONDON, April 28.

The Bomber Command’s increasing day offensives against Germany are the sign of a growing bomber strength which will lead eventually to a 24-hour air offensive, wrecking the German war machine, says the “Daily Telegraph’s” aeronautical correspondent.

In daylight yesterday aircraft of the Bomber Command successfully bombed a factory west of Cologne and; a military camp near Cologne. Docks at Ijmulden and an aerodrome at Dekooy, Holland, were also attacked.

Off the coast of Brittany an enemy patrol vessel was hit with bombs and left on fire and listing heavily. An offensive patrol of the Fighter Command over Holland yesterday machine-gunned positions and a supply train.

The daring daylight attack on industrial plant in the neighbourhood of Cologne was made with skilful use of cloud cover. After an outward journey of nearly 309 miles the British aircraft flashed out of the clouds and dropped bombs on factory buildings and a military camp. Other aircraft swept the French coast for enemy shipping. An enemy patrol vessel of about 1250 tons was sighted a few miles south of St. Mathieu Point and there was an immediate engagement. The ship put up a vigorous defence which continued till a heavy bomb exploded amidships. Stirling Bomber Used.

In the course of the widespread operations during daylight today, one cf the new Stirling bombers raided Emden and dropped heavy bombs and machine-gunned docks from 1500 feet. The Stirling is described as one of the world’s most powerful bombers and is capable of carrying a very large load of bombs. It has been used in raids on Brest and Berlin. Blenheims of the Coastal Command attacked two enemy destroyers escorting supply ships off the Dutch coast. In the face of heavy anti-aircraft fire they pressed home their attacks from a very low level and a great volume of smoke was seen topour from one of the enemy warships, which come to a standstill. Four bombers were lost in this gallant attack. Shipping was also attacked off the coasts of France and Holland, and two vessels are 'believed to have been sunk. Bombs were also dropped on a factory and railway yards near the Zuyder Zee. From all these operations, including the destroyer attack, six of our aircraft are missing.