MORE RAIDS ON STAVANGER

Southland Times, Issue 24109, 24 April 1940, Page 5

MORE RAIDS ON STAVANGER

MOONLIGHT FLIGHTS BY R.A.F. SEVERAL NAZI PLANES ' DESTROYED FIRES ON BOMB-PITTED AERODROME (United Press Assn.—Telegraph Copyright) LONDON, April 22. It is understood that the Royal Air Force again raided Stavanger aerodrome and started several fires with machines. A powerful force of long-range bombers raided the aerodrome in tire light of a full moon. Fifty enemy machines were seen around the edge of a bomb-pitted aerodrome. One of the raiders dropped a salvo of bombs from a low altitude on a group of 15 machines and destroyed at least six. Others are believed to have been badly damaged. Another machine sowed a lane of high explosive bombs across the aerodrome and started several fires with incendiary bombs. Another machinegunned a line of aeroplanes and saw two burst in flames. A salvo of bombs was also placed on the road near the control tower. Gun batteries and searchlight posts outside the aerodrome were machinegunned. A later message says that fuller details of the latest Royal Air Force bombing raids on Aalborg and Stavanger are now available. The first raiders .o attack at Aalborg arrived to find the aerodrome boundary lights on, the flare patch in position and four enemy aircraft circling the landing ground preparatory to landing. These quickly made off. This time, the Aalborg ground defences were not caught unawares. Numerous searchlights, ranged in wide circles outside the aerodrome, flashed into action and intense anti-aircraft fire opened as the British aircraft, striking in rapid succession, came in over the target. HIGH EXPLOSIVE BOMBS Numerous hits were registered on the landing ground with high explosive bombs. Six fires kindled by incendiary bombs, were left blazing in different parts of the aerodrome. One pilot, approaching from a height of only 100 feet, found that most of the searchlights could not be depressed to so low a level, and, rising over the target, was able to place an accurate salvo of bombs on the road near the aerodrome control tower. The attack on Stavanger was carried out by a powerful force of long-range bombers. The crew of one British aircraft, after making a run over the target, returned and attacked a line of enemy aircraft with machine-gun fire. They saw two of the aircraft burst into flames. The raiders met with concentrated pom-pom and machine-gun fire from batteries outside the aerodrome. The barrage ceased abruptly as each aircraft passed clear of the landing ground. Heavy anti-aircraft fire was also encountered from a hill to the north ot the aerodrome. This morning’s communique stated that one British aircraft which raidea Aalborg was missing. All the machines which were sent to Stavanger returned safely. FLIGHTS OVER GERMANY While particular attention has been paid in the last few days to the exploits of the Royal Air Force in reconnoitring German bases in Norway, it is important to remember that there has been no cessation of Royal Air Force activity over Germany itself. Since the outbreak of war, aircraft of the Bomber Command have flown 800,000 miles over what is known as Greater Germany. Opposition to the raiders generally has been marked, particularly by day but the British losses have been small and the value of the work is demonstrated by the photographs and verbal intelligence brought back. The crews have also become thoroughly familiar with flying conditions over Germany and now know the tactical approach to objectives in all conditions, both by day and night. At night, except when raiders come down to inspect a town or some area defended by anti-aircraft guns, the principal enemy is not the Germans but the weather, which often has been so cold that ice has formed within the aircraft. Thick banks of cloud may obscure what light there is and make the night impenetrably black all the waj to and from. Germany. It may also be necessary to fly blind in heavy cloud layers for hours at a stretch, imposing no small nervous strain.

During daylight reconnaissance flights, when the enemy opposition is fierce, photographs have to be taken and information added to copious notes made on the spot. The countryside must be watched for troop movements or other unusual activity on roads, railways or rivers, and the sky scanned for the approach of enemy aircraft.