HAMBURG AGAIN

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23817, 19 November 1940, Page 7

HAMBURG AGAIN

HEAVIEST EAID YET BOMBING LASTS ALL NIGHT DAMAGE ALONG RIVERSIDE By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright (Received November 18, 5.5 p.m.) British Wireless LONDON, Nov. 17 Details now given of the British raid on Hamburg on Saturday night show that it was carried out by the greatest force which ever raided that city. At intervals from just after nightfall until six in the morning a concentrated attack was made on a great number of the city's industries and communications, and the riverside districts suffered greatly. It is here that traffic is particularly dense, for Hamburg is a natural link between ocean, river and rail traffic, and factories and warehouses cover the ground. Soon after dark the RhenaniaOssag mineral oil works in the Wilhelmsburg district were again attacked by a large force of medium bombers, and bursts were seen on the target. About the same time other squadrons were attacking goods yards in the same district and also the Schlint factory for the manufacture of edible oil fats. Over 1000 Incendiaries Later various targets in the Billwerder and Moorfleth riverside districts were attacked for nearly two hours. Here over 1000 incendiary bombs were dropped and many fires were seen. A strong force concentrated on the great railway yards beside the river in the Billwerder district, identifying the target through gaps in the clouds. Just before midnight other bombers attacked from various heights works in the Altona district, where several hursts were seen on the target. Another mineral oil factory was one of the last targets raided, only an hour or two before dawn. Good results were observed after bombs had been dropped on important targets in the Veddcl and Peute industrial areas south of the River Elbe. Channel Ports Bombed One force of aircraft concentrated on the great Blohm and Voss .shipyards and docks. Antwerp and Dunkirk were also bombed. Coastal Command aircraft made a series of attacks on aerodromes in enemy occupation, where fires and explosions were caused. ]n daylight on Saturday raids were carried out by the Bomber Command on oil refinery plants in Cologne and Bremen, and on the Dortmund-Ems Canal. From all these operations three British aircraft have not returned. The German radio, in announcing that 223 persons had been killed and a largo number injured in Hamburg on Friday night, described it as a reprisal for the attack on Coventry and threatened retaliation. EFFECT MINIMISED OFFICIAL NAZI VERSION LONDON, Nov. 17 The German communique mentions the Royal Air Force attacks on Hamburg, Bremen and Kiel on Saturday night, and says the damage to military targets was slight. Other attacks were directed against residential quarters, and 13 people were killed and several wounded. It is claimed that during the raids on London Waterloo Bridge was hit. RAID ON THE RUHR LONDON, Nov. IS The Royal Air Force last night attacked a number of targets in the Ruhr, states the Air Ministry. FRENCH "EARTHQUAKE" DAMAGE AT BOULOGNE LONDON. Nov. 17 Discussing the German news agency report that an earthquake and violent, gale at Boulogne on Saturday night caused damage amounting to several million francs, Mr. J. J. Shaw, seismologist at West Bromwich, said: "1 cannot find a trace of an alleged earthquake. Possibly the earthquake was the Royal Air Force." FIGHTING IN GREECE ROME STRESSES SEVERITY LONDON, Nov. 17 An Italian communique says that attacks and counter-attacks on the Greek front yesterday were especially severe in the sector occupied by the 9th Army. The Italian air force bombed ports in Crete and Alexandria, and the enemy bombed Bari and also Solium, Bardia, Derna, Bomba and Benghasi.