“GREATEST OF ALL RAIDS”

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXIII, 30 December 1940, Page 5

“GREATEST OF ALL RAIDS”

ON GERMAN INVASION PORTS UNREMITTING ATTACKS ON LORIENT (Received 30th December, 10.13 a.m.) RUGBY, 29th December. The press gives prominence to the fact that observers on the Channel Coast last night were able clearly to see the progress of the relentless R.A.F. bombing attacks on the French invasion ports described as the “greatest of all raids” on these targets. Attacks were also delivered on enemy coastal positions in the Low Countries. At the same time the press emphasises the importance of the unremitting attacks on the Lorient submarine base which is the chief German port for Atlantic raiding. Again last night Lorient was bombed after two raids during the day and heavy attacks on Friday night. Repeated bombing last week on Merignac aerodrome near Bordeaux from which the Nazis send some of their heaviest bombers against the British ocean sea routes, as well as attacks against Lorient, produced expressions of satisfaction that the “hornets” which try to sting British shipping are being continuously harassed in their nests.

The Air Ministry communique last night stated that in bad weather formations of R.A.F. bombers attacked oil targets at Rotterdam, Antwerp and the invasion ports of Boulogne and Cherbourg. Lorient was again attacked and a large fire was observed. Two of our aircraft are missing from the Boulogne raid.