HEAVY DAMAGE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23817, 19 November 1940, Page 8

HEAVY DAMAGE

ENEMY AERODROMES DESTRUCTIVE ATTACKS AUDACIOUS DIVE BOMBING By Telepraph—Press Association—Copyright British Wireless LONDON, Nov. 17 Coastal Command bombers on Saturday made an effective and destructive tour of enemy aerodromes in the Rouen, Abbeville, Arras and Cambrai areas. The crews of attacking Hudsons and Beauforts, in spite of bad weather, were able to get excellent results. Four audacious dive attacks, in the course of which the pilot went down to within 300 feet of the ground, were made by one Beaufort on an aerodrome in the Cambrai sector at dusk. In the first sweep lie planted incendiary bombs which ignited buildings. In the following attacks ho "opened up" targets with high explosive bombs. The ilames spread fast and when the aircraft left they were leaping to a height of nearly 100 feet. One Hudson, which distributed high explosive bombs along the boundary of another Cambrai landing ground, produced six explosions and tierce fires. Aircraft which went to Abbeville all reported similar successes. As a result of one explosion there the tail gunner of a Hudson aircraft was thrown from his feet, while the interior of the aircraft was floodlit by successive Hashes from wrecked targets. Another Hudson bombed objectives across 1800 yards of the aerodrome. The crew had the satisfaction of seeing extensive tires sweeping inward from each end of the bombed area. AIRCRAFT LOSSES I LATEST WAR TOTALS GERMANY PAYS PRICE (Received November IS, 0.10 p.m.) LONDON, Nov. 17 Aeroplane losses from the outbreak of war to November 15, based on Air Ministry and Greek communiques, are: British, 164S machines; German, 5058; Italian, 299; Greek, seven. SPAIN IMPRESSED ROYAL AIR FORCE WORK SPECIAL MISSION RETURNS LONDON, Nov. 17 The Lisbon correspondent of the Times says that the Spanish air mission, headed by LieutenantColonel Ansaldo, has returned from a visit to England. Lieutenant-Colonel Ansaldo declared that he was much impressed with the organisation and spirit of the British people and also the power of the Royal Air Force. The correspondent adds that the visit was opportune and significant because Spaniards have little knowledge of Britaiu's war effort and potential strength. Even the information obtained by Government circles is derived almost exclusively from German sources. FEDERAL BY-ELECTION LABOUR CANDIDATE'S LEAD CERTAIN TO WIN KALGOORLIE (Received November 19. 1.15 a.m.) PERTH, Nov. 38 The official Labour candidate, Mr. H. Johnson, now has an absolute majority over his four opponents in the Kalgoorlie by-election. With only 14,000 votes to be checked, Mr. Johnson's election is certain.

Labour is hopeful of winning the Swan by-election, due to Mr. H. Gregory's death. TO MEET HITLER SPAIN'S FOREIGN MINISTER LONDON. Nov. IS The Spanish Foreign Minister, Scnor Suner, .arrived in Salzburg this morning and was met by Von Ribbentrop. Senor Suner is to be received by Hitler at Berchtesgaden. The Italian Foreign Minister, Ciano, left Rome last night for Berlin, according to the German news agency.

FUNDS FOR AIRCRAFT DONATION FROM ULSTER (Received November 38, 6.30 p.m.) British "Wireless LONDON, Nov. 17 .Among the recent money gifts for the purchase of aircraft is one of £84,000 sent through the Belfast Telegraph from the people of Northern Ireland. Two gifts of 10s each have also been received, one coming from the children of an orphan home and the other from a convict in Parkhurst Prison. FRENCH LEADERS TRANSFERRED TO PRISON (Received November 18. 7.30 p.m.) VICHY, Nov. 17 The former Prime Minister of France, M. Daladier, Marshal Gamelin and the Socialist leader, M. Blum, who had charges brought against them in the French "war guilt" trials, have been transferred to the Bourrasol prison. AUSTRALIAN LOAN FLOTATION OF £28,000,000 SYDNEY, Nov. IS The new Commonwealth loan, which will open for subscription on November S?8, will be for £28,000.000 instead of £25,000,000.