RHINE DISTRICT

Dominion, Volume 34, Issue 189, 8 May 1941, Page 9

RHINE DISTRICT

Heavily xAttacked By Royal Air Force MANNHEIM BLASTED

Raids From Norway To

France

(.British official Wireless.)

(Received May 7, 7.30 p.ni.) RUGBY, May 0.

An Air Ministry communique States that a strong force of the. Bomber Command heavily attacked industrial towns in the middle Rhine district on Monday night. Mannheim, where a great weight of high-explosive and incendiary bombs was dropped, was the principal objective. Frankfurt-on-Main was also attacked. In both towns fires were observed through gaps in the clouds.

Bomber' pilots have described the destructive effect of Britain s new powerful bombs dropped last night on Mannheim. “There was an astonishing explosion,’’ said one pilot. It looked like an immense red ball, and It must have been a terrific fire. Stuff was being thrown up in the air as if from a huge spray. Then there was a great mushroom of smoke. When I turned awav Anally the rear-gunner said he could still see a dull red glow remaining for some time.” A pilot who was among those who attacked Frankfurt-on-Maine, another south-west German industrial centre, said that when one of the most power ful bombs was dropped, showers of debris from blasted buildings were clearly seen even from the great height at which the aircraft was flying. Bomb? on Aerodromes.

Blenheim bombers of the Coastal Command last night attacked two aerodromes near Stavanger in Norway, says the. Air Ministry nous seivice. High-explosive and iucendiary bombs were dropped ou both aerodromes. The squadron leader who led the raid opened proceedings by starting two big fires among the aerodrome buildings. Other members of this squadron followed him in and caused further havoc.

When the crew of one aircraft arrived, they saw one hangar burning fiercely, and promptly set fire to another. A few moments after they had dropped their bombs there was a further heavy explosion. Other aircraft of the Coastal Command bombed the French port of St. Nazaire for the second night in succession. Heavy bombs burst directly ou the docks, the naval workshops, and the railway depot. The German news agency refers to "a number of raids” by the Royal Air Force last night on south and southwest Germany. The places bombed im eluded . “well-known health resorts,” and the 'damage was stated to be mostly slight. AIR BATTLES OVER BRITAIN Raids On Clyde And Mersey , (British Official Wireless.) '(Received May 7, 7.30 p.m.) RUGBY, May 6.

Three of the enemy raiders destroyed bn Monday were shot down by one fighter squadron. Two were destroyed within the space of two hours by a squadron leader who is the holder of the D.F.C. This pilot, now has 12 victories to his credit, 10 of which were during the daytime. A squadron leader who shot down a Messerschmitt 111 into the sea off Northern Ireland was attacked by two other enemy bombers after this vic tory. He evaded their fire, however, and landed safely. One of the night’s victories was gained by a New Zealand flight lieu tenant. The raider attacked was a Heinkel, which was sent diving to destruction with its tail blazing. Another night fighter pilot, operating over an enemy aerodrome in northern France saw eight German bombers preparing to land. He singled out one and raked it with fire. It was suddenly lit up by an orange explosion. By the glare he recognized it as a Heinkel 111. It broke up and fell. Ou his way home the pilot bombed another aerodrome.

Nine enemy raiders were destroyed during the night. Eight were shot flown by night lighters, and the other by anti-aircraft gun's. Large Scale Operations.

An Air Ministry communique states, according to the Press Association, that enemy aircraft operated oil a large scale over Britain and the British Isles on Monday night. . The main objective was the Clydeside, and attacks were also made on the Merseyside and Northern Ireland. Bombs were dropped at many places elsewhere, particularly in the north-east aud the southwest of England. Tlie damage was not extensive, but there were a number of casualties in the Clydeside aud the Merseyside. \ Great gallantry was displayed in rescuing those injured.

A number of people were killed when a surface shelter received a direct hit. Two young .ministers are missing from a first-aid post which was hit by a bomb. Doctors, first-aid workers, and wardens are among the casualties in the Clydeside raid. Fifteen raiders made a low-level machine-gun and cannon attack on a country district in the south-east of England yesterday. There were no casualties. One raider was hit and it is not likely lo have reached its base. Swooping from lhe clouds, a formation of Messerschmitts attacked Hie .Dover balloon barrage early yesterday. Anti-aircraft guns went into action, after which Hie raiders were pursued across Hie Straits, by Spitfires. Three of Hie balloons were burnt.

ATTACKED AGAIN

Clydeside And Merseyside LONDON, May 7. Royal Air force lighters last night destroyed nine bombers raiding Britain, and this morning brought down four more. A New Zealander accounted for two of the night bag. The Clydeside and Merseyside were the main objectives of the enemy. The Clydeside raid is otlicially described as fairly heavy, causing considerable damage and a number of casualties. Damage was also done in the Merseyside attack - the sixth in succession — but the casualties tire not expected to lie large. Other attacks were scattered and not heavy.