RAIDS ON ENEMY

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20328, 17 August 1940, Page 7

RAIDS ON ENEMY

ITALY & GERMANY R.A.F.’S MANY TARGETS STRONG FORCES USED PREVIOUS DAMAGE SEEN THREE MACHINES MISSING (Flee. Tel. Copyright—United Press Assn.) (British Official Wireless.) Reed. 11 a.m. RUGBY, Aug. 16. An Air Ministry communique states that Royal Air Force bombers renewed the attack on Italy last night. The Fiat aero engine factory at Turin and the Caproni aircraft works at Milan were bombed. A blast furnace near Genoa was also hit. Conditions generally were favourable, though some cloud and haze made complete observation difficult, when the bombers attacked the Fiat works and the Caproni factory. Enough was seen, however, to establish the fact that much damage was caused on Tuesday night, and both factories were again accurately bombed, causing (ires and explosions. One pilot reported that visibility was good when he arrived at the Fiat works, bright moonlight making flares unnecessary. He made several runs over the target, obtaining direct hits through the glass roof of the factory. Fires broke out, followed by explosions. “Blast Furnace Blasted” Other aircraft attacked a blast furnace at Genoa. One observer remarked after the completion of the attack that the “blast furnace was much more blasted when we left." Other strong forces of bombers attacked oil plants at Gelsenkirchen and Reishoiz, munition factories at Luen, Essen. Gladbach and Dusseldorf. wharves at Emmerich, supply stores at Hamm and Soest, and several aerodromes in France, Holland and Germany. A dock basin at Holder was attacked by Coastal Command aircraft last night. Aircraft of this command on night patrol shot down an enemy seaplane. Three of our aircraft are missing from ail these operations. A communique issued in Rome states that the Royal Air Force again raided Italian objectives. Anti-aircraft' guns shot down one plane. Five of the crew were killed and the remainder taken prisoner. The raiders caused no material damage. They came from the direction of Switzerland.