R.A.F. RAID ON KIEL

Greymouth Evening Star, 8 September 1939, Page 7

R.A.F. RAID ON KIEL

IMPORTANT RESULTS ACHIEVED [BY CABLE —PRESS ASSN. —COPYRIGHT.] (Recd. Sept. 8, 11.50 a.m.). RUGBY, September 7. It is now possible to give a fairly-full account of the first active operation of the R.A.F. in the war—the successful attack on the German naval bases at Wilhelmshaven and Brunsbuttel, at the entrance to the Kiel Canal, states a Ministry of Information bulletin. Although the weather conditions were entirely adverse, the attack was pressed home with the greatest vigour and daring. The fighting qualities displayed by the R.A.F. pilots were splendid, and the results they achieved are of the highest importance. There was heavy rain, and the visibility was poor. The navigation of the squadrons was accurate, and, as they approached the naval bases, they flew low to make sure of hitting their 3 “The first attack was delivered in the evening, on a pocket-battleship lying a few miles on the east of Schilling Roads. There is little doubt that the enemy were taken by surprise, but the anti-aircraft batteries quickly opened fire. The bombers circled and dived over the battleship, and direct hits by heavy bombs were made. The following aircraft were flying so low that the damage could be observed. Naval craft and the port batteries kept up an intense anti-aircraft fire, and the R.A.F. bombers were attacked by German fighters, yet the bombing raid was continued. The aircraft located a naval vessel at Brunsbuttel, and attacked it. The pilots and crews returned to their bases in fine fettle. They were proud that they had been chosen to strike the first blow at the German war machines. From the naval point of view, their fine attack will have its effect upon the future course of the war at sea, as the ship hit was one of the most-effective units of the German Navy.