Enemy Ship Ablaze After R.A.F. Attack

Manawatu Times, Volume 66, Issue 266, 8 November 1941, Page 8

Enemy Ship Ablaze After R.A.F. Attack

RAID ON CONVOY RUGBY, Nov. 6. Aircraft of the Bomber Command last night attacked a well-defended convoy off the Frisian Islands, says an Air Ministry communique. Several ships were bombed from a low level, and one was seen to be ablaze* The Channel ports also were attacked, and mines were laid in enemy waters. Hudson aircraft of the Coastal Command also attacked enemy shipping off the Dutch coast* Four aircraft of the Bomber Command and four of the Coastal Command are missing. In describing the Bomber Command's attack on the convoy oc Terschelling, the Air Ministry states that one pilot saw a bomb hit a ship, which at once burst into flames and was later seen ablaze from stem to stern. When a tanker was bombed, a cloud of smoke was seen. Though the convoy had a balloon barrage, the R.A.F. pilots dived well below the height of the balloons, and some came as low as 100 feet. In the Gulf of Sirte yesterday, according to an R.A.F. Middle East communique, enemy merchant ships were attacked by British bombers. One medium-sized vessel was left sinking rapidly, with clouds of smoke issuing from it. A second vessel was straddled by bombs. Another Air Ministry communique states: “Our fighters continued their offensive patrols over the Channel and occupied territory to-day. Barges and gun positions in the Dunkirk area were among the targets attacked. Three enemy fighters were destroyed in combat. Three of our fighters are missing.” There is nothing to report regarding enemy air activity to-day over Britain.