SHIPS LEFT IN FLAMES

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 76, 17 May 1941, Page 6

SHIPS LEFT IN FLAMES

LOW-LEVEL ATTACK ON CONVOY BOMBER CARRIES AWAY VESSEL'S AERIAL [British Official Wireless] (Rec.. 1.30 p.m.) Rugby, May 16. Further details of the Bomber Command attack on Thursday on a convoy of enemy supply ships north of the Frisian Islands leave no doubt of the success of the operation. Two ships of 5000 and 4000 tons were left in flames and a third of about 2000 tons was sending up clouds of smoke. White and yellowish smoke came from the largest ship, followed by a sheet of ' flame. Flames were also licking out of the side of this ship between the deck and water level. The second largest ship was attacked at the same time. The first attacking bomber flew so low that it carried away the ship’s wireless aerial. Bombs hit the ship and by the time the attack was over the vessel was well ablaze. A great deal of smoke poured up from the smaller ship immediately after the attack from a low-level. ! FIVE ENEMY PLANES DESTROYED An Air Ministry and Ministry of Home Security communique states: •This afternoon a numbe: of enemy aircraft crossed the south-east coast and they were promptly met by strong forces of our fighters who beat them back. Five enemy fighters were destroyed, three by our fighters and : two by anti-aircraft gunfire. One of our fighters is missing but the pilot is ; safe. Reports received up 7.30 p.m. indicate that no bombs have been drop- | ped. 11 SHOT DOWN BY PATROL VESSEL (British Official WirelessJ Rugby, May 16. An Admiralty communique that H.M. Patrol Vessel Perfective shot down two enemy aircraft during the night of 14thi 15th. The aircraft was sighted flying i at about two hundred feet and was in- ! stantly engaged. Tracer bullets were ! seen to hit n The engine cut out and j the aircraft crashed into the sea. ROMAN CATHOLIC HOSPITAL RAZED [British Official Wireless] (Rec., 1.30 p.m.) Rugby, May 16. The Roman Catholic hospital for the poor built in Lambeth Road after years of labour to raise the necessary funds was razed in a recent air raid within a month of its opening. Bombs killed j the Mother Superior and two senior Sisters while they were dealing with incendiaries. The surviving Sisters are living in an unheated basement under the hospital ruins. SERVICES IN WESTMINSTER [British Official Wireless] (Rec. 2.0 p.m.) Rugby, May 16. The usual services are being held in Westminster Abbey on Sunday in the nave when most of the debris will have been cleared. The Dean said: “We are not going to be blasted from worship by Hitler.”