INVASION PORTS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24528, 10 February 1941, Page 5

INVASION PORTS

NORTHERN FRANCE HEAVY BRITISH RAIDS LARGE FIRES STARTED (British Official Wireless) (United Press Association) (By Electric Telegraph—Copyright) RUGBY, Feb. 7. An Air Ministry communique states: Last night in bad weather Royal Air Force bombers attacked docks at the invasion ports in Northern France. At Boulogne, Cherbourg and Dieppe many bursts were observed in the dock areas, and several large fires were started. The docks at Calais and Fecamp were also bombed. The weather was nowhere good; but, by seizing the opportunity when the prevailing clouds parted, and sometimes by diving through the clouds, the British pilots were able to report satisfactory results. At Dieppe a number ot brisk fires were started which suddenly went out in a manner which suggested that barges had been burnt down to the water line and then sunlc Boulogne was more heavily attacked for about two hours, beginning at 7 p.m. Here the success depended on changing weather, but the majority of the pilots found adequate gaps in the clouds, though some had to spend a long time over the target before the opportunity came. Bombs exploded beside many docks and basins, and several fires and large explosions followed. , . , At Dunkirk the clouds were thicker, but the pilots saw their bombs burst near barges and shipping, Incendiary bombs started some fires At Fecamp the railway and eastern end pf the docks were hit in clear weather, and at Calais, where the attacks were made from a low level, explosions were observed in warehouses beside the dock. , From all these operations, the Air Ministry states, only one British aircraft is missing.

RAIDS INTENSIFIED WIDE DAYLIGHT SWEEP (British Official Wireless! .«.• RUGBY, Feb. 8. . (Received Feb. 9, at 8 p.m.) During the week ended at dawn on February 7 the Royal Air Force raids oti Germany and occupied territory have been on a larger scale than in recent weeks. There were three raids on Boulogne, three on Ostend, three on Dieppe, and two on Dunkirk. Fighters which were escorting a small bomber force twice made an offensive sweep 'in daylight over a wide area in Northern France when aerodromes and ports were attacked. At Dusseldorf various targets were bombed and included two railway junctions, a train; aerodromes and a large factory, some of the heaviest type of high-explosive bombs being dropped. these ppera^ons 16 British aircraft were lost, while six German fighters were destroyed. An additional 12 German machines were shot down over and around the British coasts m the same period for no British losses. A German communique claims thai no damage worth mentioning occurred from the Royal Air Forces raids on Channel ports.

BOULOGNE POUNDED THOUSANDS OF INCENDIARIES utticiai Wireless) RUGBY. Feb. 8. (Received Feb. 9, at 10 p.m.) An Air Ministry news bulletin, describing last night’s successful raids on the invasion ports, says: ‘The attacks, which were made in perfect weather, were clearly seen and heard from the coast of Kent. The heaviest raid of the night fell on the anchorage at Boulogne. Our bombers were over shortly after 8.30 p.m.. and by 11.15, when the last was on the way back, many heavy bombs and some thousands of incendiaries had been dropped. , , The docks at Boulogne are crowded within a fairly small space, and after the raids the pilots reported direct hits. The port was heavily defended, and the flagship off the mole opened fire, but failed to stop any of the bombers. Then the shore batteries came into action working in co-operation with the searchlights, which, at times, formed a huge cone of light over the town and docks. The bombers dropped bombs accurately along the quayside and jetties, across the dock gates, and along the railway serving the harbour. As the attacks continued, fires sprang up at many points over the whole area Enemy Vessels Destroyed In the attack on Dunkirk, our bombers also encountered good weather, and many successful attacks were made upon-ships and barges. A sergeant pilot who took part in this attack reported on his return the probable destruction of several enemy vessels. u We saw tons of debris blown high in the air after our bombs had straddled three of the main docks,” he said. “At one point we came down to machine-gun a group of searchlights which were doing their best to pick us up." Light cloud also hung over Ostend and Calais, but it was never thick enough to hide the docks, and here, too. bombs were seen to burst within the target areas.

SPITFIRE SQUADRON OVER ONE HUNDRED VICTIMS LONDON. Feb. 8 (Received Feb. 9, at 11 p.m.) A Spitfire Squadron engaged in the defence of London claimed its 108th victim when a pilot officer, who has nine victories to his credit, shot down a Junkers dive-bomber.