ATTACK IN FORCE

Manawatu Standard, Volume LXI, Issue 128, 1 May 1941, Page 7

ATTACK IN FORCE

R.A.F. OVER MANNHEIM. LATEST BOMBS USED. (United Press Association —Copyright) (British Official Wireless.) (Rec. 10 a.m.) RUGBY, April 30. The Bomber Command last night made an attack in force on Mannheim, the industrial centre of Southern Germany, some -100 miles front London. Among the large number of bombs dropped were some of the latest and most* poweri ill types. Large fires were started.

! Other aircraft attacked the oil stores at Rotterdam. One British bomber is | missing. In daylight yesterday many attacks were made on shipping. One supply ship of about 5000 tons was set on ure and several others were damaged. The Berlin News Agency says that last night the R.A.F. llew over fcJouth- , era Germany. They caused neither , military nor economic damage, but destroyed aud damaged numerous houses, many persons being killed and wounded. During daylight, yesterday, the Bomber Corfimund, with a fighter escort, searched the French and Belgian coasts for enemy shipping. They found a convoy near Ostend, and a •ship of 2000 tons was set on fire and another ship was claimed as damaged. Shij>s were also machine-gunned and the guns ot the largest ship are believed to have been disabled as the guns ceased to fire beiore the attack was over. Several Messerschmitt 109's came in to drive off our aircraft and during a general engagement at least one was damaged by one of our bombers. Near the Isle of Barnouie, southwest of the Channel Islands and a few miles from the coast of France, a supply ship of 1000 tons was successfully attacked by other aircraft from a very low level.

Off the coast of Norway attacks were made on escorted supply ships. Diving to under 200 ft, two aircraft dropped bombs on the largest ship, which was between four and five thousand tons and immediately after the bombs exploded the ship was well alight. She made a quick turn towards land and it is believed she was severely damaged, perhaps beyond repair. 11l the course of yesterday’s daylightoperations attacks were made on other ships off the Norwegian coast. An Air Ministry communique states that Irom these daylight operations two B.A.F. bombers and one fighter are missing.