HEAVY ATTACK

Dominion, Volume 34, Issue 228, 23 June 1941, Page 8

HEAVY ATTACK

R.A.F. Sweep Over North France NAZI LOSS HIGH Kiel, Dunkirk And Boulogne Bombed (British Official Wireless.) (Received June 22, 7.55 p.m.) RUGBY, June 21. At least 24 German aircraft were destroyed in today’s Royal Air Force sweeps over northern prance. This is stated in the following Air Ministry communique: ■ “Today the R.A.F. has twice carried out offensive operations in strength over northern France. Shortly after midday and again later in the afternoon squadrons of our fighters and bombers struck inland over the Pais de Calais, while other strong forces of fighters patrolled the French coast. In each attack enemy aerodromes were bombed, one near St. Omer in the first raid and another near Boulogne in the second. “Whenever enemy fighters were encountered our fighters hotly engaged them and many combats took place. Our losses in these operations were four aircraft—one bomber arid three fighters, the pilot of one of our fighters being safe. Casualties inflicted upon the enemy fighters were heavy. -At least 24 of them were destroyed." Today’s sweeps were two of the largest yet made over enemy territory since R.A.F. fighters assumed the offensive, and they proved the Fighter Command’s most successful daylight operations since the Battld of Britain last autumn. In the first sweep 11 Messerschmitt 109’s were destroyed and others damaged. A group captain leading one of the, Spitfire squadrons accounted for two bf them himself. Victorious Engagements. In the second offensive this afternoon while bombers launched a successful attack near Boulogne our fighters destroyed 13 enemy aircraft. The pilot of one of three R.A.F. fighters lost was picked up safely in the Channel by a rescue launch. The Spitfire and Hurricane squadrons which fought today’s victorious engagements were chiefly drawn from the group which played a leading part In the Battle for Britain last autumn, and the success of their operations was the more remarkable as they were lighting over enemy territory. A later message says that 26 enemy lighters were destroyed in Saturday’s R.A.F. offensive operations. In addition one of our fighters on patrol off the east coast on Saturday morning Shot down two enemy fighters. This pilot subsequently had to descend by parachute, but is safe. Twenty-eight enemy aircraft, therefore, have beeu destroyed during Saturday for tlie loss of five of ours. An Air Ministry communique states that aircraft of the Bomber Command were out in force over north-west Germany last night, with the port of Kiel as the main target. The docks at Dunkirk and Boulogne were also bombed. During daylight yesterday an enemy patrol vessel was bombed and destroyed off Denbelder by aircraft of the same command. One of our aircraft is missing from these operations.

DARING ATTACK

Enemy Supply Ship Bombed (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, June 20. The pilot of a Blenheim bomber of the Coastal Command who scored direct hits ou au enemy supply ship in tire English Channel last evening attacked at such close range that as he turned away his aircraft touched the sea. The impact wrenched off one of his propellers and threw a cloud of water all over the aircraft. Nevertheless the pilot managed to pull the Blenheim up from the water ou one engine and llew it safely back. The Blenheim was one of a force which, escorted by lighters, attacked a German supply ship of about 4000 tons off Le Touquet. The vessel was protected by three A.A. ships and a destroyer, which put up a strong and accurate lire, but in spite of this the Blenheims came right in over the ship to release their bombs. They then had to take violent avoiding action, and saw only one direct hit. Fighters above, however, observed two hits which left smoke rising amidships. Tlie vessel sank later.

WESTERN GERMANY British Air Offensive Continues LONDON, June 22. The sustained Royal Air Force offensive against Germany’s heavy industries was continued last uight, when strong forces of the Bomber Command raided objectives in western Germany, mainly Cologne and Dusseldorf. Lighter bomber forces raided the docks at Dunkirk and Boulogne. One R.A.F. machine is missing from these operations. Aircraft of Uh? Fighter Command carried out offensive patrols over northern France during the night. More Raids on Britain. Enemy activity over this country I was greater last night than for some I time. An Air Ministry communique I says that there was a sharp attack on one town in tile south of England, causing some casualties and damage. Bombs were also dropped elsewhere in tiie south and iu Scotland, causing a small number of casualties. Four enemy aircraft were destroyed in these raids. GERMAN CLAIMS I Received June 22, 7.30 p.m.) LONDON, June 21. A German communique claims that lhe harbours of Grimsby and Yarmouth were raided last night and also aerodromes in the Midlands and East England. Workshops and light metal works at Fort William, Scotland, are said to have been destroyed. Since the Fighter Command took the offensive at the beginning of the wai in its first: sweep over occupied territory, tiie Royal Air Force lias sent ns large a number of fighters over France on many operations as the Germans sent over hero in Hie Battle for Britain. Tills number is rapidly increasi n g.