SHIPS SET AFIRE

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20618, 20 November 1941, Page 9

SHIPS SET AFIRE

ROYAL AIR FORCE FIGHTS OVER CHANNEL RAIDS ON NAZI ZONES (Elec. Tel. Copyright—United Press Assn.) (British Ofiieial Wireless.) Reed. 2.40 p.m. RUGBY, Nov. 18. An Air Ministry communique states: “Our fighters, including some carrying bombs, have been over northern France to-day. A factory was bombed and warehouses, a goods train and railway yards were machine-gunned. “Off the French coast a small enemy ship was attacked with gunfire. When the vessel was last seen only the funnel was showing above water. “One enemy fighter was destroyed. "Beaufigbters of the Coastal Command this afternoon attacked an enemy patrol vessel off the Dutch coast. Numerous hits were obtained with cannon and machine-gun fire on the bridge and near the engine-room. No aircraft are missing from any of these operations.”

A further report states that a 500ton ship was sunk in the Channel. A factory in northern France was severely damaged and a Messerschmitt 109 was destroyed by fighters. The ship was found by Spitfires near the French coast. All aircraft in the formation immediately dived down and opened fire from funnel height one after another. Clouds of steam and smoke at once enveloped the ship and as the fighters turned away it was seen to be submerged, except the funnel.

The Messerschmitt was shot down by a squadron patrolling high over the Channel. Other German fighters were severely damaged and it is unlikely that they were able to reach the base, but these are claimed as only probably destroyed.

Beaufighters each carrying four cannon and six machine-guns attacked a German patrol vessel in daylight at sea level near Ijmuiden. The ship was seriously damaged and a large cloud of smoke rising from it was visible 10 miles away.