R.A.F. Sprays Bullets On Troops, Ships

Northern Advocate, 14 January 1941, Page 5

R.A.F. Sprays Bullets On Troops, Ships

t ßritish Official Wirelessl (Received 12.30 p.m.) RUGBY, January 13

A communique issued by the Air Ministry states that targets in France, Germany and Italy were objectives of the Royal Air Force last night.

Docks at Brest were attacked with incendiaries and high explosives. A number of heavy bombs burst along the waterfront and fires broke out in a warehouse. A large fire was started at the port. Le Havre, and also Lorient were attacked and high explosives were seen to burst on the docks of both these harbours. Aerodromes, including those at Vannes. Chartres, Evreux and Morlaix were visited and good results observed. At Vannes ,pnd Chartres aerodrome buildings were set well alight and at Evreux ’ a number of hostile aircraft on the ground were set on fire. From these operations over France none of our planes are. missing. Crimson Sheet of Flame. The Air Ministry bulletin ascribing last night’s attack says: “The dry and wet docks at Lorient were battered with heavy bombs. One pilot saw a salvo explode in a crimson sheet of flame among buildings on the riverbank. “At the end of the attacks storehouses and other buildings near the Port Militaire and the power station were burning fiercely. “Docks and shipping at Brest were also attacked, and a heavy bomb was seen to burst near the power station. Big fires were seen in the docks. Supply Ships Raked. “While on patrol along the coast of Norway yesterday, another aircraft of the Coastal Command bombed a supply ship, and, after scoring a direct hit on the stern, flew over the vessel and silenced its deck with machinegun fire. The ship was left shrouded in smoke. “Blenheims of the Coastal Command, also off Norway, attacked and hit a second large German supply ship, which opened fire, and the Blenheims raked its deck with machine-guns.” An Air Ministry communique says that during the hours of daylight yesterday small formation of our fighters patrolled the French coast, off the Straits of Dover, attacking from a low level troops in trenches near the beach, as well as shipping and defences. Troops Machine-Gunned. Further details are given in an Air Ministry news bulletin, which says that Hurricanes of the lighter Command swept low over the Belgian and French coasts and I machine-gunned troops and shipping. The first patrol was led by a squadron-leader who came down to sea level and twice attacked an E-boat 800 yards off shore. The Hurricanes swept the deck with bullets and then attacked a drifter. Another patrol attacked a second Eboat from astern from sea level and the boat made for the shore.

Shipping Attacked

The patrol continued across the coast and machine-gunned troops near the beach. Two other small ships were machine-gunned. A third patrol attacked a large twomasted schooner and a number of small vessels.

Heavy and accurate anti-aircraft fire was encountered and Messerschmitts 109 were sent up to intercept and were engaged. One pilot thought he had been hit when he looked into his mirror and saw what seemed to be damage to his elevator tip. When, he landed he found a bird entangled in his aerial.

Italian Oil Refineries.

A communique states that a small force of bombers last night attacked important oil refineries at Regensburg and also at Porto Marghera, near Venice.

Several fires were caused at Regensburg. At Ostend a large explosion followed a fire.

Incendiaries dropped by the first raiders set on fire the target at Porto Marghera and the whole target was well alight when the last' raiders arrived an hour later. Building Blown Up Machine-gun fire from a few hun~j ared feet silenced the anti-aircraft defences. Then a heavy bomb was re*§ leased from a very low level and blew up one large refinery building. More bombs fired the oil storage tanks and two bombs hit a nearby second large building which was seen To collapse and fall to pieces. Sheds and workshops were machine-gunned from almost ground level. The targets were left blazing. One of our planes is missing.