SEVENTH RAID

Evening Star, Issue 23553, 17 April 1940, Page 7

SEVENTH RAID

CONCENTRATION ON STAVANGER BOMBERS INFLICT GREAT DAMAGE EXTENSIVE FIRES SEEN Press Association —By Telegraph —Copyright LONDON, April 16. (Received April 17, at 10 a.m.) The seventh attack in five days on Stavanger took place last night. An Air Ministry announcement states that R.A.F. operations against Stavanger were continued successfully last night, A force of bombers attacked the aerodrome and buildings with large numbers of heavy and high explosive bombs, and also used incendiary bombs with great effect. Two extensive fires were seen to break out. All our planes returned without loss. FALSE GERMAN CLAIMS NO BRITISH PLANES SHOT DOWN (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, April 16. (Received April 17, at 11.33 a.m.) The Air Ministry announces that the German High Command communique falsely alleges that five British aircraft were shot down in the attacks on Stavanger and that a Sunderland flying boat was destroyed. No aircraft were lost in any of yesterday’s attacks on Stavanger, and no flying boat is missing. Two British aircraft that were engaged on a reconnaissance over the North Sea yesterday have not returned. VULNERABLE AERODROME ILLUMINATING PHOTOGRAPHS (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, April 16. (Received April 17, at 10.45 a.m.) Some of the many impressive photographs of Stavanger taken by the Royal Air Force and published to-day show in detail the large number of enemy aircraft on the airfield, the hangar, and the runway, which have formed excellent targets for the British bombers. The vulnerability of this aerodrome, said to be the most modern in Norway, has been demonstrated in the repeated attacks of the past few days. Planes arriving at -Stavanger after the raid had begun were able to identify their target miles away from fires started by earlier attacks. Enemy planes were seen to'be blazing fiercely, and the aerodrome was enveloped in clouds of smoke. FIERCE FIRE STARTED RUHWAYS PITTED WITH BOND CRATERS (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, April 16. (Received April 17, at 10.20 a.m.) It is: learned from informed air circles in London - that considerable. damage has been caused to Stavanger aerodrome in the recent raids of R.A.F. aircraft. Direct hits were obtained during the seventh raid last night-on the runways. One heavy bomb burst close ito the aerodrome control tower, and another started a fierce fire nearby. Aircraft and building were destroyed, and the aerodrome surface pitted with bomb j craters. * SUCCESSIVE WAVES DF BOMBERS LONDON, April 16. (Received April 17, at 12.40 p.m.) The bombers traversed the aerodrome in successive waves, destroying planes and buildings. -They encountered opposition from the ground defences, THE PUPPET GDVENRMENT RECONSTRUCTION ANNOUNCED LONDON, April 16. A message from Oslo states that Professor Quisling, broadcasting, announced hia resignation as head of the puppet Government. He said he would accept the office of “ Commissioner of the Demobilisation Administrative Committee,” of which Mr Christensen, chief of the Oslo Municipal Council, has been appointed head. The radio also explained that the decision to reconstruct the puppet Government was reached during conferences between Dr Brauer, at present the Reich’s representative in Oslo, and president of the Norwegian! Supreme Court, and repi’esentatives ;of the Oslo Chambers of Trade, Shipping, and Industry. DEPOT IN ENGLAND ENLISTMENTS FOR NORWAY LONDON. April 16. (Received April 17, at 12.45 p.m.) For enlistments in the Norwegian forces a special depot is being opened.