RAIDS RESUMED

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23780, 7 October 1940, Page 7

RAIDS RESUMED

INVASION PORTS TARGETS IN GERMANY BAD WEATHER CONDITIONS By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright LONDON, Oct. fl To make up for its absence on Friday night, occasioned by had weather, the Royal Air Force bombarded German invasion ports along the whole French coast from Dunkirk to Boulogne on Saturday night. There was low cloud, mist and a westerly wind, and machines were despatched across the Channel shortly after dusk. The blaze of fires and bombs bursting was reflected in the clouds as' far as the English coast and for some distance inland. The Royal Air Force also bombed shipping in Holland and oil plants, railway yards and factories in Germany. The German communique says that only one industrial works in Germany was bombed by the Royal Air Force. No material damage is reported. A Berlin report says it is officially stated there that the Royal Air Force during September carried out 1741 attacks on Germany and Germanoccupied territory. dropping 7.542 bombs. Of this number, 1.6 per cent caused military damage, 50.4 per cent caused civilian damage or deaths, and 48 per cent were unsuccessful.

ENEMY LOSSES .3 BRITISH UNDER-ESTIMATE "PROBABLES" NOT COUNTED (Received October (5, 7.30 p.m.) British Wireless LONDON. Oct. 5 During Friday's daylight and night operations, the enemy admitted the loss of five aircraft, says an Air Ministry bulletin. In this period, the British claimed, that three enemy aircraft were destroyed. Two others were reported as "probables," although they were not claimed and will not be claimed as definitely destroyed. The enemy's admission shows that at least two more aircraft were in fact brought down. This goes to prove that a large number of enemy aircraft an l so badly damaged by British fighters and anti-aircraft guns that they do not return to their bases. Following almost every engagement over Britain, many enemy aircraft ar*> reported as "probables." They are not definitely claimed or announced as enemy losses. When these numbers are small, the enemy is apt to make a fairly genuine admission. If he did the same on occasions wben many of his aircraft are destroyed, the results might be very startling. For example, on one occasion when 18-5 enemy aircraft were destroyed, reports showed that there were 42 "probables" and 75 damaged in addition. On another date, when 85 aircraft were destroyed, there were 34 "probables" and 53 damaged.

GRAF SPEE RATINGS FOUR MEN RECAPTURED (Received October 6, 6.30 p.m.) VALPARAISO, Oct, 5 The police have arrested four members of the crew of the Admiral Graf Spee, who had escaped from internment. They were found on a Japanese mail boat. They had crossed the Cordilleras and hidden in Valparaiso for several davs.