STRIKING SUCCESS.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LX, Issue 123, 23 April 1940, Page 7

STRIKING SUCCESS.

SPECTACULAR ATTACKS. • FIRES AND WRECKAGE. (British Official Wireless.) Received April 23, 11.50 a.m. RUGBY, April 22. In connection with the latest Royal Air Force bombing raids on Aalborg and Stavanger, fuller details are now available. The first raiders to attack at Aalborg arrived to find the aerodrome boundary lights on. The flare path was in position and four enemy aircraft were circling the landing ground preparatory to landing. These quickly made off. This time the Aalborg ground defences were not caught unawares. Numerous searchlights ranged in wide circles outside the aerodrome flashed into action- and intense antiaircraft fire opened as the British aircraft, striking in rapid succession, came in over their target. Numerous hits were registered on the landing, ground with high explosive bombs. .Six fires kindled hv incendiary bombs were left blazing in different parts of the aerodrome. One pilot, approaching from a height of only 100 ft. found that most of the searchlights could not he depressed to so low a level and, rising over his target, was able to place an accurate salvo of bombs on a road near the aerodrome control tower. The attack on Stavanger was carried out by a powerful force of long-range bombers. The crew of one British aircraft, after making their run over the target, returned and attacked a line of enemy aircraft with machine-gun fire. They saw two of the aircraft burst into flames. Machine-gun attacks were also made on "ini Iv’itories end ‘"’arch light posts. The raiders met with concentrated pom-pom ami machine-gun lire irom the batteries outside the aerodrome. The barrage ceased abruptly as each aircraft passed clear of the landing ground. Heavy anti-aircraft fire was also oncountc*ed from a hill to the north of the aerodrome. This morning's communique stated that one British aircraft which raided, Aalborg was missing. All the machines which were sent to Stavanger returned safely.