R.A.F. RAIDS

Grey River Argus, 16 January 1941, Page 5

R.A.F. RAIDS

ON FRENCH PORTS Kiel Canal Blocked fAus. & N.Z Cable Assn.] LONDON, January 14. Last night’s raids by the Royal Air Force were against ports in occupied France, but they were on a much smaller scale than the widespread attacks against the enemy in the previous 24 hburs. An Air Ministry communique states: Last night, in bad weather, a small force of the Coastal Command aircraft made a successful attack on the submarine base at Lorient. Heavy bombs were observed to burst on the naval ordnance works, and buildings in the docks. The Bomber Command aircraft also attacked targets in the Dunkirk area, and started one large and several smaller fires. From these operations all our planes returned safely. During daylight yesterday, one of our aircraft was lost on patrol operations.

Swedish sailors report that the R.A.F. bombing has completely blocked the Kiel Canal, says the Exchange Telegraph’s Gothenburg correspondent. A direct hit brought down a bridge on top of the steamer Isa, which was sunk across the canal. The R.A.F. day and night attacks have not ben relaxed, despite the bad weather, and they appear to be increasingly more systematic than Germany’s. Well informed circles now believe that the Bomber Command’s offensive, and not merely the weather, is restricting the Luftwaffe’s regular raids. Germany was finding it necessary to conserve supplies for some time previous to any large-scale attacks.

Reports from Berlin say that the “Borsen Zeitung” violently attacks the Swedish Press, for publishing London correspondents’ views of the R.A.F. about the change in roles with the Luftwaffe, as an attacking force.

It is authoritatively stated that Germany has acquired all the warehouses in Bohemia and Moravia, for the storage of tinned foods and rye, against R.A.F. raids. RAIDS IN SICILY. RUGBY, January 14. During a raid on a Sicilian aerodrome, the R.A.F. destroyed aircraft which were apparently German, according to an R.A.F. Middle East communique, which says: The aerodrome al Catania, in Sicily, was heavily raided by bombers during the night of January 12-13. A series of attacks was made. Two hangars on the west side of the aerodrome were hit and set on fire, one being demolished. Another hangar, on the east side of the aerodrome was also hit and set ablaze. Heavy explosions occurred and numerous fires were started among the administration buildings. A petrol dump was set on fire and at least nine aircraft were destroyed. Other bombs hit the main runways, and the railway line along the west side of the aerodrome. The fires and explosions were visible from Cap Passero, 45 miles away. Two of our bombers failed to return to the base, but the crew of one was rescued when the aircraft made a forced landing.