WEATHER HINDERS R.A.F.

Greymouth Evening Star, 21 September 1940, Page 7

WEATHER HINDERS R.A.F.

CANAL AQUEDUCTS BOMBED OSTEND & FLUSHING ATTACKED [BRITISH OFFICIAL WIRELESS.] RUGBY, September 20. All the British aircraft engaged in the night operations of Thursday and Friday, against targets in enemy or enemy-occupied territory, returned safely. The weather was most unfavourable, according to the Air Ministry news service. The aqueducts which carry the Dortmund-Ems Canal over the River Ems, north of Munster, one of the most-vital links in Germany’s internal communications, and the principal objective of these operations, had been seriously damaged by the R.A.F. last month, but repair gangs have since been working at high pressure to restore them to use. On Thursday night, British bombers flew through blinding rainstorms and cloud that blanketed both land and sea. Many of the aircraft were iced as they flew high to surmount the clouds.' Luckily, there came a sudden break in the clouds, right over the target, and through this clear patch the pilots could easily see the aqueducts, and make their runs accurately. Sticks of high-explosive bombs were dropped across both the aqueducts, and at least one burst was seen on the structure.

Nearly an hour later, another shallow dive-attack was made, and again a stick of bombs crashed across both aqueducts, and an observer saw clouds of dust drifting after the explosion. Just before 3 a.m., another raider, who also emerged into a welcome clear patch after flying among dense clouds nearly all the way from the base, made an attack. He could see both aqueducts clearly, as his bombs were unloaded. The .Channel ports were also shrouded in driving rain, which often turned to sleet. Nevertheless, another successful attack was made on Ostend. New fires were started, one at the north end of the main basin, and another near two rows of warehouses, which caught fire by the time the raiders left. Other bombers attacked the new tidal harbour and, despite intense searchlights’ glare, a later raid saw a large fire burning on the quayside. A pilot who attacked Flushing harbour saw heavy explosions in the harbour works and outer harbour, and also across the Verbreed Canal. Fires were already burning when he arrived over the target.

A pilot who flew over Flushing at 1500 feet, dropping high-explosives and incendiaries, said that he saw five bursts among barges in the southern end of the Verbreed Canal. They caused a series of minor explosions, followed by a violent explosion, with green flames. Incendiary bombs started fires among the barges, extending over about 100 yards. The Dunkirk docks were also attacked from a low level, in spite of intense anti-aircraft fire.

Other squadrons bombed the railway yards at Mannheim and Erhang, the goods yards at Neckarau, four miles south of Mannheim, and the main railway lines at Coblenz. Attacks were also made on a bridge over the Rhine near the Trier Canal, between Veere and Middleburg in Holland, and the aerodromes at Munsterhansdorf and Bergenopzoom. GERMAN ADMISSIONS (Recd. Sept. 21, 10.45 a.m.). BERLIN, September 20. It is authoritatively stated that R.A.F. planes were over the Rhineland after midnight. Ten civilians were killed. A communique states: A few British planes bombed residential districts and towns in western and south-western Germany. One British plane was shot down. Three Germans are missing.

ULSTER’S CONGRATULATIONS. RUGBY, September 20. The Speaker of the Northern Ireland Parliament sent to Sir A. Sinclair congratulations on the work of the R.A.F., at the unanimous request of the Members. The Air Minister replied: “The tribute of the House of Commons of Northern Ireland, to the gallantry qf the R.A.F., is an encouragement tfo us all in these stirring, strenuous days. It will be gratefully received by all ranks of the R.A.F.” COMPARATIVE LOSSES. FIGURES FOR SEPTEMBER. RUGBY, September 20. The heavy German losses in airmen over and around Britain, compared with the British, during Sep--tember, is well illustrated by the fact that on Wednesday, forty-eight enemy aircraft were destroyed, representing a loss of more than a hundred German airmen, against three British pilots lost. The aggregate September losses to the eighteenth are 776 German aircraft, compared with 217 British machines, with 116 R.A.F. pilots safe, made up as follow: — September 1: Twenty-five Germans destroyed, fifteen British lost, nine R.A.F. pilots safe. September 2: 55—20 —12. September 3: 25—15—8. September 4: 54—17—12. September 5: 39 —20 —9. September 6: 46 —19—12. September 7: 103—22—9. September 8: 11—3—1. September 9: 52—13—6. September 10: 2—o—o. September 11: 89—24—7. September 12: 3—o—o. September 13: 2—o—o. September 14: 18—9—6. September 15: 185—25—14. September 16: 7—o—o September 17: 12—3—2 September 18: 48—12—9.

R.A.F. CASUALTIES LONDON, September -20. The Air Ministry casualty list shows 49 killed in action, 48 wounded, 88 missing, and 58 killed on active service. N.Z. CASUALTY. .x WELLINGTON, September 21. An Air Force casualty: Pilot Officer Basil William Peryman, reported missing on June 29, now believed to be a prisoner of war. Father, H. W. Peryman, Lincoln, Canterbury.