AIR RAID ON STAVANGER

Southland Times, Issue 24104, 18 April 1940, Page 7

AIR RAID ON STAVANGER

Seventh Attack In

Five Days

(British Official Wireless)

RUGBY, April 16.

The seventh attack in five days on Stavanger took place last night. An Air Ministry announcement states that Royal Air Force operations against Stavanger were continued successfully last night. Air Force bombers attacked the aerodrome and buildings with large numbers of heavy high explosive bombs. They also used incendiary bombs with great effect. Two extensive fires were seen to break out. The British aeroplanes returned without loss.

A British Official Wireless message says it is learned from informed air circles in London that considerable damage was caused to the Stavanger aerodrome in recent raids of Royal Air Force aircraft. The bombers traversed the aerodrome in successive waves, destroying aeroplanes and buildings. They encountered opposition from the ground defences.

Aeroplanes arriving at Stavanger after the raid had begun were able to identify the target miles away from the fires started by the earlier attacks. Enemy aeroplanes were seen blazing fiercely and the aerodrome was enveloped in clouds of smoke. Direct hits were obtained during the seventh raid last night on runways. One heavy bomb burst close to the aerodrome control tower and another started a fierce fire nearby. Aircraft and the building were destroyed and the aerodrome surface pitted with bomb craters.