FRIDAY’S RAIDS

Grey River Argus, 5 August 1940, Page 5

FRIDAY’S RAIDS

Many Direct Hits

IN HOLLAND AND GERMANY. [British Official Wireless] (Received August 4, 7.30 p.m. > RUGBY, August 3. An Air Ministry communique states: “Yesterday Royal Air Force bombers made daylight raids on a number of aerodromes in France, Belgium and Holland. Hits were scored on hangars and runways. Aircraft on the ground were bombed and machine-gunned from low altitudes. There was some opposition from enemy fighters. One of our ’planes is missing. Our bombers have continued their systematic attacks on military objectives in Germany. Last night, their main targets were depots at Emden Hamburg, Nisburg, Salzbergen and Emmerich. They also attacked several German aerodromes. Large fires were started at Hamburg and Salzbergen, where /the damage is considered to have been extern?, m. One of our aircraft, returning from these operations, was forced down into the sea. Further details were given in a •■.iter Air Ministry bulletin which relates how, on several occasions, Nazi fighters have unsuccessfully attempted to prevent Royal Air Force bombers from reaching their target. One account deals with an attack on Maamstede, when an enemy patrol of three attacked th e British raiders. A British gunner fired short bursts as onf’ of the aircraft came within effective range, and apparently hit it, for it disappeared with smoke streaming from its starboard wing. A second enemy aircraft is also believed to have been damaged by the bomber’s fire, as it abruptly broke off the engagement and swerved away, leaving other aircraft to continue the attack unaided. RAIDS ON HOLLAND. At Schipol, the airport of Amsterdam, one of the raiders damaged several four-engined enemy aircr.'f), which were standing on the edge oi the runway, when bombs burst near them. At Waalhaven, one hangar was hit. and other bombs broke up the tarmac and runways at Haamstede, Flushing and Leeuwarden. Over Soesterberg, the airport oi Utrecht, Royal Air Force aircraft met with a heavy barrage, which did not pievent them from dropping bombs on their objectives. Among other successful Royal Air Force attacks, thirty hits were made on an oil refinery at Salzbergen near Gcnabruck, which is an important source of supply for benzine, keics> ne, gas, and lubricating oils. Eghl tons of high explosive bombs were dropped on this target as well as i.’any incendiary bonips. One observer saw nine separate bursts. Another raider, taking his time, r,v de two separtl? runs over the area as a preliminary to bombing part of the refinery. Aircraft attacking the oil refinery.at Emmerich, near the German-Dutch border, successfully added to the damage already caused in previous raids. Hits were obtained on the oil plant, and several fires were started. GERMAN CIVILIANS KILLED. (Received August 4, 7 p.m.) LONDON, August 3. A German communique states. Enemy planes which penetrated northern and western Germany last night destroyed houses. They kilieu and injured civilians, and destroyed a. farmhouse at Ehra killing the farmer’s family of four.