A VITAL LINK

Evening Post, Volume CXXX, Issue 72, 21 September 1940, Page 11

A VITAL LINK

German Canal Heavily Bombed

R.A.F. KEEPS UP PRESSURE

(British Official Wireless.) (Received September 21,. 1 p.m..) , RUGBY, September 20. All the British aircraft engaged in night operations of Thursday-Friday against targets in enemy or enemyoccupied territory returned safely. The weather was most unfavourable, according to the Air Ministry news service. Aqueducts which carry the Dortmund-Ems Canal over the River Ems, north of Munster, one of the most vital links m Germany's internal communications, was the principal objective. These were seriously damaged by the R.A.F, last month, but repair gangs have since been working at high pressure to restore them to use. On Thursday night British bombers flew through blinding rainstorms and cloud that blanketed both land and sea.

Many of the aircraft iced as they flew high to surmount the clouds. Luckily, there came a sudden break in the clouds right over the target and through this clear patch pilots could easily see the aqueducts and make their runs accurately. Sticks of high explosive bombs dropped across both aqueducts. At least one burst was seen on the structure. Nearly an hour later another shallow dive attack was made and again a stick of bombs crashed across both aqueducts and an observer saw clouds of dust drifting away after the explosion.

Just before 3 a.m. another raider who also emerged into a welcomi clear patch after flying among dens< clouds nearly all the way from hi: base, made an attack. He could se< both aqueducts clearly as the bombi unloaded.

The Channel ports were also shrouded with driving rain, which often turned to sleet. Nevertheless, another successful attack was made on Ostend and new fires were started, one at the north end of the main basin and another near two rows of warehouses, which had caught fire by the time the raiders left.

Other bombers attacked the new tidal harbour and, despite an intense searchlight glare later, a raider saw a large fire burning on the quayside.

bour works and the outer harbour I and also across the Verbreed Canal. " Fires were already burning when he 5 arrived over the target. s A pilot who flew over Flushing at =, 1500 feet, dropping high-explosive and " incendiary bombs, said he saw five bursts among barges at the southern end of the Verbreed Canal. They caused a series of minor explosions, followed by a violet explosion with green flames. Incendiary bombs started fires among barges extending over about 100 yards. Dunkirk docks were also attacked from a low level, in spite of intense anti-aircraft fire. Other squadrons bombed the railway yards at Mannheim and Erhang, the goods yards at Neckarau^ four miles south of Mannheim, and the main railway lines at Coblenz. Attacks were also made on a bridge over the Rhine near the Trier, a canal between Veere and Middleburg in Holland, and aerodromes at Munsterhansdorf and Bergenopzoom.