BOMBERS' SWOOP

Evening Post, Volume CXXXII, Issue 10, 11 July 1941, Page 6

BOMBERS' SWOOP

FROM A CLEAR SKY

TALES OF DEVASTATION

•(Rec. 2.30 p.m.) RUGBY. July 10. ; Further details of the R.A.F.'s sweeps over occupied France on Thursday are 'contained in an Air Ministry ! bulletin. " "In twenty-five seconds, Blenheim aircraft of the Bomber Command hit with their bombs four German ships "in the port of Le Havre," says the bulletin. "With a strong fighter escort as a protective screen,, the Blenheims swooped out of a clear blue sky and came very low over the harbour. One merchant vessel of 6000 tons was directly hit on the stern. "A tanker of about 2000 tons, and heavily laden, was struck amidships, and bombs were seen to enter the hull. A ship of about 3000 tons was set on fire and emitted clouds of black smoke, and a vessel of about 7000 tons had two direct hits. "A ship of 1500 tons, moored alongside a wharf, was also hit by incendiaries and probably by high explosives. Everything possible was machine-gunned, and one air gunner out over enemy country for the first time machine-gunned the crew of an anti-aircraft, post in the harbour. They did not reply. THE CHERBOURG RAID. "Another force of escorted Blenheims made an attack on enemy shipping in Cherbourg Harbour. Immediately after a tanker of 7000 tons had been hit there was an explosion, with clouds of black smoke, and when a merchant vessel was hit, debris and smoke shot into the air. • ' "On land,, warehouses were set "alight and gun emplacements; bombed. "While these two attacks were in progress, heavy bombers, also accompanied by fighters, were making their way to the chemical works at Chocques, near Bethune. Sticks of very heavy bombs were dropped right