GERMAN TARGETS

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20257, 27 May 1940, Page 7

GERMAN TARGETS

TROOPS AND ROADS LINES OF CONTACT MANY FIRES STARTED 1 WIDE AREA COVERED (Elec. Tel. Copyright—United Press Assn.) (British Official Wireless.) Reed. 9 a.m. RUGBY, May 25. A communique issued by the Air Ministry stated: “Transport columns, concentrations of troops, road and rail junctions, bridges, permanent ways and rolling stock were among the targets hit by heavy bombs of the Royal Air Force in large-scale operations over north-east France, southern Belgium and Germany on Friday night. “The enemy’s lines of communication were disorganised over a wide area. Many fires were started and much damage done. In the course of these operations three of our aircraft were lost. “Throughout to-day, Saturday, bomber aircraft of the Royal Air Force have continued to give vigorous support to the Belgian, French and British armies over the fighting fronts. Royal Air Force fighter aircraft maintained continuous patrols over the battle areas and the coast of northern France. This morning’s reports indicate that they have already sho 1 down or seriously damaged 12 enemy aircraft with the loss of only one Hurricane. Motorised Units Located “Enemy motorised units on the coast roads near Boulogne were located and heavily bombed throughout Friday by forces of Blenheim bombers, which kept up an almost continuous series of offensive patrols over the area from early morning until nightfall. “On the first sortie, a convoy of about 40 motor vehicles standing in a field near the cross roads on the main road was attacked by nine Blenheims. Salvoes of high explosive bombs of heavy and light calibre were dropped and were seen to burst amongst the massed vehicles on the cross-roads and on the side of the main road. “Several of the raiding aircraft were hit by anti-aircraft fire which came from a number of batteries and from mobile guns in a lorry park, but no casualties were suffered by the crews and a number of photographs of the bombed transport were secured before leaving the scene. Fifteen Enemy Machines “A force of Blenheims following soon afterwards located and attacked another column of small armoured fighting vehicles and supply lorries. As the first of the British raiders approached to bomb the formation, 15 enemy biplanes came up and opened an attack on the nearest bomber, but hurriedly broke off the engagement on sighting a patrolling force of British fighters diving to the support of the Blenheims. “The same enemy column was again attacked about an hour later by a still stronger force which scored numerous hits on the vehicles. “Later in the day anti-aircraft batteries some distance from the coast were heavily attacked while other sections of Blenheims reconnoitring main roads, bombed moving columns of armoured cars and supply lorries. One large bomb was seen to fall among a group of vehicles dispersed in a field. In the evening an important canal bridge was attacked and destroyed by a strong bomber force under heavy fire from pompom batteries sighted along the canal banks. Nearly 300 bombs were dropped. Bursts were seen on the main road near the bridge and an anti-aircraft battery was silenced by a direct hit. “All the aircraft engaged in these daylight operations returned safely to their bases. Although the antiaircraft opposition was intense and several hits were sustained by our aircraft, only one of our airmen was slightly wounded.”