FRENCH AIR OPERATIONS.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LX, Issue 168, 15 June 1940, Page 8

FRENCH AIR OPERATIONS.

UNFAVOURABLE WEATHER. LONDON, Juno 13. A French'iair communique states: “As a result of unfavourable weather the activity of the French Air Force has been much reduced in the last 24 hours, but it has carried out numerous reconnaissances, securing valuable information of enemy movements. Our fighters were busily engaged on protective flights. Squadrons of our bombers bombed and machine-gunned troops and attacked bridges and railways.” WIDE R.A.F. RAIDS. - The Air Ministry states: “Throughout yesterday, last night and early today medium heavy bombers of the 11.A.F. have been continually engaged in attacking the enemy’s lines of communication and sujiply over an area extending from St. Valery on- the Channel coast through the northern approaches to Paris to Hirson, near the Belgian frontier. “In the first raid nearly 1000 incendiary bombs and many high explosives were scattered over the wood at Le Mare in which strong forces of enemy infantry and supplies were concentrated. Large fires were still burning fiercely when further raiders arrived to bomb the same target some hours later. Other medium bombers made a vigorous assault on an enemy battery south of St. Valery and the guns were silenced by salvoes of heavy bombs.”