R.A.F. NIGHT RAIDS

Grey River Argus, 19 December 1940, Page 6

R.A.F. NIGHT RAIDS

UPPER RHINE CENTRES Many Fires Caused [British Official Wirelessj RUGBY, December 17. An account of R.A.F. Monday night activities over Germany and occupie territory is given in a.n Air Ministry communique, which states: The series of concentrated attacks on Germany was continued last night, when aircraft of the Bomber Command sudjected targets at Mannhein, the chief industrial centre on the Upper Rhine, to a sustained attack which lasted for seven hours. The weather was good, 'with a bright moon. One of the principal lactones was repeatedly 'straddled by bombs. At Ludwigshaven, a suburb of Mannheim, the lairline dye factory, one of the iaig'est in Germany, was set well alight.

Ifhe fires being still visible half an Ihour after the attacking aircraft left. Bombs burst on the railway yards, the port, and along the banks of the Rhine. A particularly violent explosion was observed at Neckarstadt, another suburb. By 3.30 a.m., the whole target area was a mass of flames. At Speyer, a town south of Mannheim, factory buildings were hit, and targets at a town on the iNeckar were set on lire. I The R.A.F. also attacked several 'aerodromes in daylight yesterday, 'and six merchant vessels off the I French coast. After the attack one vessel was obseved listing to port, land another was on fire. , I From these operations four of our aircraft are missing. I A German communique admits the [raid on Mannheim damaged buildings, including a palace, hospital and two factories. Ten people were killed and 50 injured. The British .. United Press Berlin correspondent states the officials ad-, mits the R.A.F. caused considerable civilian damage at Mannheim. RAIDS IN FRANCE. LONDON, December n Heavy explosions from the French coast shook Dover this afternoon. If |is 'believed that the R.A.F. were carrying out a daylight raid on enemy invasion bases. | Coastal Command aircraft carried out heavy raids on docks and U-boats at Bordeaux early to-day, states the Air Ministry News Service. Fr_>m the time they left the base, the navigators did not see land until near

heir targets. The effects of the heavy bombs were such that observers in the aircraft had the impression of large ,buildings being lifted in their entirety into the -air, before they disintegrated. When one raider came over the docks, and let go a salvo' of large calibre bombs, a whole column of flame rose to a height of 300 feet Other bombs, which fell on a corner of the U-boat dock bases, were followed by an immense flash, which produced a bright glow in the sky over Bordeaux. TUESDAY NIGHT RAIDS (Received Dec. 19, 1.30 a.rn.) LONDON, December IS. On Tuesday night small formations of R.A.F. bombers, despite adverse weather, attacked objectives in south-west Germany and the coast of occupied France.

NEW WHIRLWIND PLANE (Received December 18, 9.30 p.m.) RUGBY, December 18. Lord Beaverbrook’s reference in his broadcast to Whirlwinds. lifted only a corner of a veil of secrecy which cannot be lifted high, except to say the Whirlwind is one of )lie fastest planes in the world, and may soon be as much a household word as the Spitfire and Hurricane, but its existence has been one of the war’s best-kept secrets. CANADIAN AIR TRAINING.

(Received Dec. 18, 10 p.m.) OTTAWA, December 17. Partaking in a “Wings of the Empire” broadcast on the anniversary of the launching of the Empire air scheme, Captain Goble expressed 'gratitude for kindness and hospitality extended Australian students. He said Australians regarded their visit as a great experience, and realised the training plan afforded a unique opportunity for Empire unity. Captain L. M. Isitt said New Zealanders were putting so much effort and attention into this vital period of training that they had no time to he lonely, thinking only of the day

they can go overseas. DAVIS CUP PLAYER KILLED SALISBURY (Rhodesia), Dec. 17. The Davis Cup player, Donald S. Hayes, was killed in a flying accident on the eye of the completion of his training for a pilot. Biombing of Basle SWISS want compensation FROM BRITAIN. BERNE. December 17. The Swiss President, in a statement at a meeting of the Federal 'Council, said the planes which bombled Basle are believed to have been 'British. The Council will demand compensation for the damage which is cons’berable, immediately the identity is definitely established ern front. The snow is two metres ■Seep, blocking roads and filling ravines. ALBANIAN COURTS (Received December 19. 12.30 a.m.) ATHENS. December IS. "General Papagos has ordered that, until a new decision is reached. Al--1 banian civil tribunals shall continue 1 to function in. territories occupied by 1 Greece. The Albanian code will ap- ' ply except where it is contrary to >! the interests of the Greek occupa- ’ tion. I