R.A.F. OVER ARDENNES

Evening Post, Volume CXXIX, Issue 137, 11 June 1940, Page 4

R.A.F. OVER ARDENNES

DUMPS DESTROYED

MORE HARD BLOWS

(U.P.A. and Official Wireless.)

(Received June 11, 12.30 p.m.)

RUGBY, June 10.

The Air Ministry communique states:—"During the last 24 hours medium and heavy bombers of the R.A.F. have again been active in attacks on the enemy's lines of communication immediately behind the fighting front. "Armoured fighting vehicles, mechanised transport columns, and troop concentrations were also heavily bombed in the Abbeville-Amiens-Beauvais-Rouen area. River crossings on the Somme, Aisne, and Meuse were repeatedly attacked during the night. "Serious damage was caused to the enemy's ammunition dumps and supplies when large tracts of the Ardennes forests between'Gharleville and Fumay were set on fire. "Other formations of heavy bombers attacked a large number of military objectives in Rhenish Prussia and the Ruhr. Four of our aircraft are missing. "The squadrons of the R.A.F. operating in France have been further reinforced." ENEMY COLUMNS HUNTED. "Armoured vehicles and mechanised columns which had filtered through the left wing of the Allied defences south of the River Bresle were hunted and repeatedly attacked by strong forces of K.A.F. bombers during daylijght operations yesterday. In a series of intensive attacks large forces of bombers dropped nearly 1000 bombs of various types within a period of 15 minutes. .Several direct hits were scored on enemy columns, an antiaircraft battery, and other targets. "Later, a still large force of bombers successfully attacked enemy forces on the-roads near Poix. Infantry and motor transports on the move were bonjbed and hits scored on a group of small tanks in the centre of a village through 'which an enemy column was passing. • - . . ■ -. : "The R.A.F. activities against the enemy were less widespread during the night. They ranged from the mouth cf the Somme to Flushing in the north, to Mezieres in the south,, and ■ throughout the industrial areas of the Ruhr. FIRE AFTER FIRE. "More than 6600 incendiary bombs were dropped over the Ardennes and fire after fire was seen blazing furiously. The flames were followed by many ; explosions. > "Nine hundre.. incendiary bombs; were also dropped in the Hirson region,, where explosions continued for 20; minutes after the attacks were made. Meanwhile, other formations of bombers were over the Ruhr and registered direct hits on important military objectives. Key railway centres and important tracks in the same areas were subjected to heavy assault by both incendiary and high-explosive bombs." A French Air Ministry communique states: "Our air forces continue to take energetic action and the crews are doing everything possible without counting the cost. "During the whole of yesterday and' last night bombing squadrons continued the work of destruction on the enemy's rear, particularly in the region! of Soissons, Pontavert, aiid Bourg.: Over 75 tons of explosives were' dropped on marching columns and tanks.

"Most important hits were made on lines of communication and several bridges ov,er the Oise were destroyed. Over 30 German planes were brought down in fights."