BOMBERS STRIKE

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 76, 19 June 1941, Page 5

BOMBERS STRIKE

PLANT NEAR BETHUNE BRIGHT EXPLOSIONS SEEN CHEMICALS TOUCHED OFF (Rec. 10.15 a.m.) Rugby, June 18. Forces of Blenheim aircraft of the Bomber Command with a strong fighter escort yesterday attacked an important plant near Bethune in occupied France. The attack was made in daylight, and there was no cloud cover. Sticks of bombs were dropped right across the plant, fires at once starting, and a few seconds quantities of smoke were rising high into the air.

“As I watched the smoke curling up I imagined there would be no more to see,” said one observer, "but evidently the flames had touched off chemicals in the works, for there were sudden bright explosions. They must have caused much destruction in the curious onionshaped cooling towers for the clouds of smoke immediately increased and thickened.”

As the aircraft made for home their path was lined with black puffs of exploding anti-aircraft shells. Overhead a background of blue sky and very high cirrus clouds fighters were busy beating off a yellow-nosed Messerschmitt which got among the bombers. Four of them opened fire at close range. The enemy was hit and broke off the fight with black smoke pouring from the port wing. Ground crews were waiting at their base for the bombers to return, and as they circled before landing the word went round that all was safe —B.O. W.