REPRISAL RAIDS

Grey River Argus, 4 June 1942, Page 5

REPRISAL RAIDS

APPREHENDED IN. BRITAIN.

(Rec. 11.0). LONDON, June 3. The Minister of Home Security. Mr. Morrison, has issued a “stand-to” caE! to the fire guards and the other civil defenders. He says: “The R.A.F.’s terrific blows brings the possibility that the e nem v will increase his counterblows as far as he is able.” (Rec. 1.30.) LONDON, June 3. Small numbers of German ’planes were over South-west England last night. Bombs were dropped in several places and small fires were started. There was some damage, and a small number of casualties. Other bombers were reported over the Thames Estuary. A single raider approached the London area, causing an alert, but no bombs were dropped. No bombs have fallen on London since last Jlily. Three raiders were destroyed in England and one near its base in Holland.

Sweeps Over France

DESTRUCTION OF ENEMY ’PLANES. (Rec. 12.30.) LONDON, June 3. The Air Ministry reveals that during one month, R.A.F. ’planes made over 7,000 flights in the course of daylight sweeps over occupied France. A daily average of 250 fighters was used. Apart from enemy 'planes destroyed at night and while protecting coastal shipping the equivalent of fifteen complete enemy fighter squadrons was destroyed in the first five months of 1942 in the Fighter Command’s daylight sweeps over enemy occupied territory. ' The sweeps mark the beginning of a second front in the West, where nearly fifty per cent, of the total German fighter force is retained to meet Fighter, Bomber and Coastal Command offensives. The Fighter Command continues to shoot down more enemy fighters than it loses. Replying to the suggestion that aircraft engaged in the sweeps would be more usefully employed in distant theatres of war, the Air Ministry points out that if the fighter sweeps were abandoned, it would not help to add a single squadron to overseas fighter fronts. The bottle-neck to reinforcement of lighter strength in distant fronts lies in the shortage* of aircraft pilots. It is entirely a matter of transport. There are no more fighters in Britain than necessary for defence against air attack and the possibility of invasion.

GERMAN A.R.P. CALL-UP.

COLOGNE STILL AFIRE.

(Rec. 11.30). LONDON, June 3 A Stockholm message states: "A Swedish press correspondent in Beilin says fires are still burning in Cologne. Berlin admits that at Cologne, the authorities have succeeded only in limiting the fires. Several big works have been razed. Tho “Daily Express” says: “Marshal Goering has ordered the conscription of every able-bodied German, including civil service men, for A.R.P. work. MR FRASER’S COMMENT. P.A. WELLINGTON, June 3. “Allied peoples throughout the world will be greatly heartened by the large-scale raids on Cologne and Essen, which is striking evidence of the growing power of the United Nations in the air,” said the Prime Minister (Mr. Fraser), referring to the crippling blows which the R.A.F. has struck at industrial Germany. “The raids,” he added, “were carried out with great daring and courage, and the R.A.F. was to be congratulated on its efficient planning and organisation of these successful bombing operations. German threats of reprisals will have no effect on people who went through the blitzkreig during the battle of Britain,” said Mr Fraser. “These raids against the great industrial centres in the Rhineland are the most material help that Russia can get at the moment, for the bombing of olaces like Cologne and Essen must have a serious effect on German armament and munitions production.”