MASS OF FLAME

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20601, 31 October 1941, Page 6

MASS OF FLAME

GERMAN BASE SHIPS & DEPOTS AFIRE FIERCE R.A.F. RAID (IClec. Tel. Copyright—United Press Assn.) (British Official Wireless.! Reed. 1.30 p.m. RUGBY, Oct. 30. “The harbour and anchorage of Aalesund, one of the bases from which Hitler supplies his northern Russian front, was wreathed in flames last evening and early this morning. It was the most devastating shipping attack ever carried out by a single squadron of the Royal Air Force,” dates an Air Ministry bulletin. "Lockheed Hudson bombers of the Coastal Command flew through snowdorms across the North Sea to unload their bombs on a large concentration of shipping and vessel after vessel was hit and burst into flames. So far as it was possible to make an accurate estimate, the record of the squadron's raid is: Four supply -.hips sunk or left sinking, one ship left in flames, the superstructure and ;pper deck of a sixth ship blown into (he air. an escort vessel of the corvette type severely damaged by bombs, a fish-oil factory ablaze, the German barracks effectively machine-gunned, wireless station or power plant bombed, construction and repair works set on fire, and a German transport lorry driven off the road. Below Mast Height “As the crews returned to their base one after another reported hits on ships from below mast height. “After flying through snow over the sea the Hudsons found the conditions over Aalesund ideal. There was a bright moon shining and it clearly outlined the vessels lying at anchor.”

An account given by one pilot is ivpical of the squadron’s experiences. This pilot sighted five ships lying close together in the roadstead north of the harbour and he dived on one of them, releasing his bombs from 30ft. and scoring a hit. Without waiting to see the result of the attack he raced over Aalesund, skimming roof-tops and blazing away with all guns at anti-aircraft posts in and near the docks.. He returned to the waterfront and saw a ship he had bombed covered by clouds of smoke. The Hudson then recrossed the town again, firing at machine-gun posts, and on the outskirts a German transport lorry was seen moving' slowly alopg a road. The Hudson dived with the front guns going and the pilot saw the lorry swerve off the road and pile up on an embankment.

Fish Oil Factory Ablaze

He again went back to see the ship and this time found it a mass of flames.

His next objective was a fish oil factory on an island near Aalesund. He had three large incendiary bombs left. All three crashed through the roof of the factory. They were followed by streams of tracer bullets fired in through the windows from a height of 20ft. As the Hudson flew away the crew saw a deep red glow inside the factory which later spread into a large fire.

Before setting a course for his base, the pilot decided to have one last look at the ship. He was completely satisfied with what he saw. The vessel', he said, appeared to be breaking up amidships and the flames had enveloped it from stem to stern and were above mast height.