SURPRISE ATTACK

Dominion, Volume 34, Issue 287, 1 September 1941, Page 7

SURPRISE ATTACK

Enemy Convoy Off The French Coast (British Official Wireless.) (Received August 31, 7.30 p.m.) RUGBY, August 30. A fighter squadron using cannon and machine-guns made a surprise attack on an enemy convoy off the French coast yesterday and set two escorting flak ships on fire. The squadron dived on to the convoy from the French coast. One flight attacked a flak ship at the head of the convoy and the other a ship at the rear. Before the attack on the first ship was completed it was already ablaze. Gunfire ceased and when the flames died down the Germans still remained silent. At the same time the other flight set the rear flak ship ablaze. No Messerschmitts came from the nearby coastline to interfere but shore batteries put up a heavy fire. It is learned in London that 10 enemy fighters were destroyed by British fighters during the series of offensives today. Ten of our fighters are missing but the pilot of one is safe. Royal Air Force fighters carried out a number of offensive patrols over northern France on Thursday. Blenheim bombers with fighter escorts attacked shipping in the docks at Rotterdam early in the afternoon. Direct hits were scored on ships, wharves, and dockside buildings. Seven bombers and five fighters are missing. A Deadly Barrage.

With a fighter escort, but against a deadly barrage from the port and from small warships at the mouth of the river, the Blenheims which made the attack flew over the docks at Rotterdam at 50ft. and even as low as 20ft., states the Air Ministry news service. They were met by a hail of light antiaircraft shells and machine-gun bullets—there was even rifle fire from the ground—and some Messerschmitts braved the escort of Spitfires to pursue the bombers, One Messerschmitt 109 engaged a Blenheim from dead astern, and closed to 150 yards. But it was pursued in turn by Spitfires, and had to make a hasty escape. The Blenheims attacked in line abreast. The pilot of the leading Blenheim describes how he glanced along the line and saw the attack begin at full strength. Two of the Blenheims made for a large ship. The first scored a hit on the stern, and when the second had dropped its bombs its crew saw the ship entirely obscured by bursts. Another Blenheim hit a large ship amidships. Fire broke out, and the smoke which poured up was reddened by flames.

Many other ships were attacked, both in the docks and on the slipways where they were building. Tall columns of smoke rose from the shipyards. Bombs burst among cranes, wharf machinery, and shops on the quaysides. Warehouses burst into flames, and the fires quickly spread. Dodged Way Through.

Some of the Blenheims were hit even before they reached the docks, but they dodged their way through the A.A. fire and sent their bombs down. The aircraft which have not returned were seen to make successful attacks. Because of the nature of the assault, with bombers flying low and dropping bombs fused to explode some seconds after impact, more damage was certainly done than could be seen. One Blenheim was hit by A.A. fire in one of its engines, and fell behind its formation. The pilot of another Benheim saw this, and kept company with the damaged bomber. Two Spitfires then joined up to make all safe. Photographs taken at the time of the attack show how low the Blenheims swooped over Rotterdam. They are proof of the courage with which the British crews drive home a dangerous assault against all the defences which the enemy can muster to protect his shipping.