IMMENSE FIRES

Manawatu Standard, Volume LXI, Issue 197, 22 July 1941, Page 5

IMMENSE FIRES

DAMAGE IN RHINELAND.

R.A.F. NIGHT RAIDS. (United Press Association—Copyright) (Rec. 10 a.m,) LONDON, July 21 The Air Ministry announces that planes of the Bomber Command were again over the Rhineland in force last night. Cologne was the principal objective.

In a sustained attack many large fires were started in the industrial areas of the city, .one being a mile long. - A subsidiary attack was delivered on tho docks at Rotterdam, where large fires were also started. None of our aircraft is missing. Offensive patrols were also carried out over France during the night, several aerodromes being bombed. R-A.F. pilots returning from last night’s raids report a fire a mile long at Cologne—one of- many—and a blaze at Rotterdam which was visible 100 miles away.

A largo force was out and, in spite of the weather, found the targets in the industrial areas of Cologne, other objectives in Western Germany, and the docks at Rotterdam. Over Cologne the crews watched the results of the bombing through gaps in the clouds. There was a very brilliant fire a mile long among factories on the outskirts of the city, and elsewhere ten other fires were burning at the time and high-explosives were bursting in the midst of a large industrial building which was already burning fiercely. At Rotterdam there was a formidable fire among the docks; a pillar of dense black smoke rose 6000 ft and hid a large part of the docks, while - the flames lit up warehouses. At Aachen bombs were seen to burst among factory buildings. After those successful attacks the whole of tho large force came safely home, though the Germans put -up a strong barrage and night fighters wore about. One Messerscliniitt 110 was bit and driven off in tho course of combat.

The Italian radio that Naples had again' been attacked by British planes. Heavy bombers this morning attacked an industrial target at Lille, when six German planes were destroyed. ’Three British planes are missing. Later in the day two more enemy machines were destroyed. There was little enemy activity over this country last night. Some bombs were dropped in the: east of England and in the north-west of Scotland, causing slight damage und few casualties.

Once again the official communique dealing with daylight air activity over Britain states there is nothing to report. A British Official Wireless report says it is now confirmed that our bombers shot down another enemy fighter, making two in all during the attack on Germany on the night of July 19-20. Aircraft of the Coastal Command have engaged in their usual extensive patrols over the sea. From these ono aircraft is missing.

V.c. FOR AUSTRALIAN.

DARING RAID ON BREMEN.

(Rec. 9.45 a.m.) RUGBY, July 21. A hazardous operation in daylight, “planned personally with a full knowledge of the risks entailed,” gains tho V.C. for an Australian airman who has already won the D.F.C. for a successful operation. He is Acting-Wing-Commander 11. I. Edwards, who, alter serving as a iudet in the R.A.A.F. since 1935, lias undertaken flying in several R.A.F. squadrons with distinction.

The operation which gained Edwards the V.O. is officially described as follows: On July 4 ho led an important attack on the. port of Bremen, one of the most heavily defended towns of Germany. This attack had to lie made in daylight, and there were no clouds to afford concealment.

During the approach to the German coast several enemy .ships were sighted and Edwards knew his aircraft would ho reported and that the defences would be in readiness. Undaunted bv this misfortune, he brought the formation more than 50 miles overland to the target, flying at a height of little more than 50ft, passing under high-tension cables and carrying away telegraph wires, and finally passing through a formidable balloon barrage. On reaching Bremen he met with a hail of fire, all his aircraft being hit and four being destroyed. Nevertheless he made a most successful attack, then with the greatest skill and coolness withdrew the surviving aircraft without further loss.

It is noted that Wing-Commander Edwards, although handicapped by a physical disability resulting from a flying accident, has repeatedly displayed gallantry of a high order in pressing home bombing attacks from a very low height against strongly defended objectives. He gained the D.F.C. for an operation last month during which he attacked a ship in a convoy off the Dutch coast, releasing his bombs from mast height.—Official Wireless.