R.A.F. LAY MINEFIELDS

Greymouth Evening Star, 19 September 1940, Page 7

R.A.F. LAY MINEFIELDS

WELL-PLANNED OPERATIONS [BRITISH OFFICIAL WIRELESS.] . . . . RUGBY, September 18. Crews of British aircraft which night after night have been laying minefields in enemy-occupied harbours and territorial waters, from the Norwegian coast to the Bay of _ Biscay, were given a thorough training in their work before ever the first mine was laid. They made long reconnaissance flights over the areas and became familiar with routes and peculiarities of the various coastlines. That minefields have been laid with only one or two losses in aircraft, is high tribute to the skill of the navigators and the tenacity of the pilots. Besides carrying mines, the aircraft engaged in these expeditions also carry bombs, in case an enemy supply ship be met. Two nights ago, the captain of one aircraft reported on his return that he had bombed a supply ship of about seven thousand tons. “My navigator,” he said, “was certain a direct hit was scored, and the vessel sunk.”

On the same night, an enemy tanker was attacked with two high explosive bombs, and afterwards machinegunned. The first bomb scored a direct hit on the after part of the ship, while, the second missed the vessel by ten yards. Though the actual end was not observed, the ship was obviously damaged and forced to stop. Incidents such as these, says an Air Ministry bulletin, help to relieve the monotony of the sea crossing, but crews engaged in these operations know their main job is mine-laying, and nothing is allowed to divert them from it.'

MANY SHIPS SUNK. LONDON, September 18. British bombers have been laying mines every night in occupied harbours from Norway ■to the Bay of Biscay. Although these operations have not been spectacular, it is known that many, enemy ships have been lost in these British minefields, which extend in some cases to within a stone’s throw of the quaysides.