HAVOC ON FRENCH COAST

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXIII, 11 December 1940, Page 5

HAVOC ON FRENCH COAST

ENGLISH RESIDENTS SEE RESULT FIRES VISIBLE IN DAYLIGHT [British Official Wireless] (Received 11th December, 11.20 a.m.) RUGBY, 10th December. Residents on the south-east coast of England had a remarkable demonstration to-day of the havoc wrought by the R.A.F. on the other side of the Channel during the night. So great were the fires started during these attacks that they were visible in daylight across the Channel. Huge columns of black and white smoke were seen intermingling with the flames.

Early morning haze and drizzle in the Straits formed a red glow like an evening sunset, but the midday sun dispersed the haze, and the French coast was plainly visible to crowds of people assembled on the cliffs and foreshore looking towards the other side of the Channel. Later the mist * descended again, but it did not completely blot out the red glow.

An Air Ministry communique states: “Last night R.A.F. bombers bombed an aircraft factory at Bremen, the naval base at Lorient and docks at Boulogne. During these operations one of our bombers shot down an enemy fighter. One of our aircraft is missing.”