CANADIAN SQUADRON

Dominion, Volume 35, Issue 59, 3 December 1941, Page 8

CANADIAN SQUADRON

/ Five Enemy Ships Bombed (British Official Wireless.) (Received December 2, 6.30 p.m.) RUGBY, December 1. Five enemy vessels were bombed last night by Hudson aircraft, of the Royal Canadian Air Force squadron which already has a fine record of “blitzes” on ; enemy shipping. A sergeant pilot left one ship sinking off the Dutch coast. Five minutes afterward another sergeant found another slightly larger ship not far from the first. He attacked it from almost deck level and afterward saw billowing clouds of steam ami smoke belching from the port side. one of the flight commanders of the squadron, an English squadron leader, attacked a medium-sized supply' ship off Borkum, picking it up from a convoy of four or five vessels. Violent A.A. fire was put up and the Hudson had to ■lake evasive action immediately after dropping a stick of bombs. The rear gunnel', however, who was firing at the shiii as they drew off, saw two large ex- | plosions in the darkness. Yet another Hudson piloted by a Canadian sergeant attacked a rather smaller supply ship in a nearby area, 'i’lm results of the bombing could not be observed. 'The aircraft was badly shot about, and the windows by the pilot's head shattered by machinegun fire. None of the crew, however, was injured. 'The last Hudson of this squadron to ma’c' an attack on a vessel, glimpsed in Ihi' darkness below, was piloted by an Am. riean. He bombed a small vessel bn; was unable to see the results. Another squadron of Coastal Comma ml Lockheed Hudsons was also ' roaming over the enemy coast last night seeking out shipping. One aircraft of this squadron penetrated into the outer harbour at. Ymniden through strong A.A. fire from the mole and shore batteries. The pilot sighted a mediumsized vessel at moorings in the harbour and put a stick of bombs across her. One hit was scored on the ship, an explosion being seen from the aircraft. The Hudson dodged the searchlights ami returned to its base unscathed. Aircraft from a coastal Coniyiand Beaufort squadron also claimed a ship. A pilot sighted two more supply ships in convoy off Borkum and selected the largest ship of medium size Tor attack. Ho dropped a stick of bombs across her and a few seconds later the crew saw a large explosion amidships.