OIL TANKS ABLAZE

Evening Star, Issue 24003, 30 September 1941, Page 7

OIL TANKS ABLAZE

THE ATTACK ON ST. NAZAIRE ACCURATE BOMBING BY R.A.F. (British Official Wireless.) (Bee. 10.20 a.m.) RUGBY. Sept. 29. The R.A.F. attack on St.Nazaire last night is more fully described by the Air Ministry news service. Flying through intense flak and batteries of powerful searchlights on both banks of the river Loire, Blenheim and Beaufort aircraft of the Coastal Command bombed and set on fire an important oil depot and refineries at St. Nazaire. Leading the way in. the Beauforts located the target and started a blaze with a stick of high-explosive and incendiary bombs dropped from low levels. “ As the bombs fell among the tanks,” said the pilot of one Beaufort, “ our aircraft rocked with the force of the explosions. Then flames shot up and the fire spread, and when wo were miles on the way home we could still see the tanks blazing.” Another Beaufort was intercepted by a Nazi night fighter, but a few rounds by the Beaufort’s rear gunner caused it to break away. Following the Beauforts, the Blenheims bombed from a higher altitude. Approaching the French coast one aircraft saw the refinery 40 miles away burning fiercely. “We crossed it.” said the pilot. “ and saw the tanks clearly outlined in the blaze below us. Even at our height the air reeked of burning and what seemed to be chemical fumes.”

BRITAIN AND VICHY FRANCE MARSHAL PETAIH’S DECLARATION VICHY, September 28. I am always ready to support President Roosevelt in any peace initiative the United States may start, and .1 know the Pope also wants peace,” said Marshal Petaiu to a neutral correspondent. “ When the war ends the United States could' make a formidable contribution to peace, provided she stays out of the war and preserves freedom of action. Britain’s relations with Franco have been a succession of psychological errors, for which Britain is to blame. She knew France would never use her armed forces against her. lam pledged not to use our planes, fleet, or troops against Britain, yet she has attacked, and is still attacking us. The R.A.F. is hammering our northern ports to dust.”TRADE WITH TURKEY GERMANY'S BID FOR FAVOUR * September 29. Tbe Istanbul correspondent of ‘ The Times ’ says von Papen is going to Ankara on September 29 to participate in the settlement of one'or two outstanding questions over which Turkish and German trade negotiations are stumbling. While these negotiations are proceeding the United Kingdom Commercial Corporation has intensified its activities, aiming at the promotion of British-Turkish trade relations. Since Di Clodius arrived in Turkey 14 British steamers have arrived at Alesandretta and Mersin with full cargoes for Turkey, including locomotives and wagons, as well as 1,000 tons of tinplate. i HUGE FLYING BOAT PLANNED TO CARRY ISO ARMED TROOPS NEW YORK, September 28. A mammoth naval aircraft planned 1 to carry ISO armed troops was displayed at the Glenn Martin factory in Baltimore. It is the largest flying boat over built, and carries a crew of 11. DEPARTURE POSTPONED BRITISH AMBASSADOR IN TOKIO SHANGHAI, September 29. The Tokio correspondent of the Dome! Agency quoted an Embassy spokesman as stating that the British Ambassador, Sir Robert Craigie. had indefinitely postponed his departure to the United States and that the Embassy had cancelled his transpacific