DEVASTATING RAIDS BY R.A.F.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LX, Issue 300, 18 November 1940, Page 7

DEVASTATING RAIDS BY R.A.F.

DAMAGE AT HAMBURG GREAT BATTERING OF CITY VITAL TARGETS' BOMBED (United Press Association.— Copyright.—Rec. 9.45 a.m.) (■British Official Wireless.) ‘ RUGBY, Nov. 17. An Air Ministry communique states that squadrons of the Bomber Command last night renewed their attack against Hamburg. Many tons of bombs were dropped in the course of prolonged and extensive operations against many objectives, which included the central railway yards, important oil refineries, the Altona electricity works, and industrial targets in the Billwarder and Moorfleth districts. One force of. aircraft concentrated on ’the great Blohm and Voss shipyards. , The docks at Antwerp were also bombed. Coastal Command aircraft made a series of attacks on aerodromes in enemy occupation, and fires and explosions were caused. Dunkirk was also attacked. In daylight yesterday raids were carried out by the Bomber Command on the oil refinery plants at Cologne and Bremen and on the Dortmund-Ems Canal. Erorn all these operations three of our aircraft have not returned. ’ CONCENTRATED ATTACK. —T

Hamburg was the subject of a concentrated attack lasting several hours on all its great and various industries, which range from shipbuilding to the manufacture of synthetic, but presumably edible, fats. At intervals throughout the night a powerful force of bopibers flew over the city and suburbs.

Their success varied with the changing weather of night, but many pilots were fortunate in finding their targets when bombing conditions were perfect. The squadrons attacking the Blohm and Voss shipbuilding yards, which are the best-known of many such yards lining the banks of the Elbe, reached Hamburg just before midnight after flying , through much cloud. As they came over their target, the pilots suddenly found themselves in bright moonlight. Visibility steadily increased and the clouds were left behind. . i High-explosive and incendiary bombs were dropped, and bursts were seen in many parts of the area, while the explosions which followed were accompanied by great billowing red flames. Close to the river hank there was another iire, and a warehouse was seen to be well alight. The Blohm and Voss yards, also a neighbouring aircraft factory where direct hits were scored, were the scenes or large fires.

Another force of heavy bombers found gaps in the cloud immediate y over the great riverside railway goods yards in the Billwarder district and dropped many high-explosive bombs j and over a thousand incendiary bombs. The gaps in the clouds closed as the attacks ended and made it impossible to observe the full result, hut enough was seen to make it certain that considerable damage was done. . GREATEST FORCE YET. The raid was carried out by the greatest force which has ever raided Hamburg. Further details are given by the Air Ministry News Service. At intervals from just after nightfall until 6 in the morning a concentrated attack was made on a great number of the city’s industries and communications, in which the riverside district suffered greatly. It is here that traffic is particularly dense, for Hamburg is the natural link between ocean, liver and rail traffic. Factories and warehouses cover the ground. .... . Soon after dark the Rhenania Ossag mineral oil works in the Wilhemsburg district were attacked by a large iorce of medium bombers, and bursts were seen on the target in spite of cloud banks. About the same time other squadrons were attacking goods yards in the same district, also the Sell in factory for the manufacture ot edible Later various targets in the Billwarder and Moorfleth riverside districts were attacked for nearly two Hours Here over a thousand incendiary bombs were dropped and many fires were seen.

A strong force concentrated on the great railway yards beside the river j in the Milhvarden district, identifying the target through gaps m toe clouds. Here again nearly a thousand incendiary bombs were dropped •well as tons of high-explosive bombs. Just before midnight other bombers attacked from various heights works in the Altona district, where sevcia bursts were seen on the target. Another mineral oil factory was ° of the last targets raided only an hour or two before dawn. Good results vere observed after bombs had beer' on important targets in the Ved * Peute industrial areas south oi lliver Elbe. GERMAN COMMENT. The German radio announcing that 223 were killed and a large number injured at Hamburg on Friday ® d described it as a reprisal for the rai on Coventry, and threatened retalia A Berlin reference to the Jt.A.F- nt tack on Hamburg says that t e damage was out of proportion forces employed, but it admits that « dockyard administrative building destroyed and another building was set on lire. It adds that a hospital was damaged and a number of civilians killed and injured.