NAVY PRAISES R.A.F.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 77, 24 January 1942, Page 6

NAVY PRAISES R.A.F.

BOMBING OF BREST AND WARSHIPS MOST DANGEROUS TASK AIRMAN CAN TAKE (Rec. 1.20 p.m.) Rugby, Jan. 23. The frequent R.A.F. attacks on Brest are regarded authoritatively in London as of great importance to the Navy, by having immobilised two most dangerous battleships, the Scharnhorst and the Gneisenau for nearly ten months. The Prinz Eugen has been at Brest for over seven months. These ships at sea might have distracted many British warships at a time when the Navy was fully occupied in all oceans. The bombing of the heavily defended seaport of Brest is one of the most dangerous tasks any airman can undertake and calls for expert fliers and high personal courage. Recently the R.A.F. received a high compliment from the Navy for this work. The following message was sent to the Air Ministry by a senior naval staff officer: ‘’The immobilisation of these vessels has been of the greatest value to us and it is an achievement of which the R.A.F. may justly be proud.” The second message states: “Will you please tell the Bomber Command how much we admire the enterprise and gallantry of their recent attacks on Brest?”—B.O.W.