BRITAIN’S NEW BOMBS

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLIX, Issue 21957, 8 May 1941, Page 5

BRITAIN’S NEW BOMBS

Devastating Effect On Germany

By Telegraph—Press Associate

(Rec. 8.50 pm.) RUGBY, May 6. Royal Air Force bomber pilots have described the destructive effect of Britain’s new and powerful bombs dropped on Monday night at Mannheim, the most important industrial city in south-west Germany.

“There was an astonishing explosion,” says one pilot. “It looked like an immense red ball and it must have been a terrific fire. Stuff was being thrown up in the air as if from a huge spray. Then there was a great mushroom of smoke. When I turned away finally the rear-gunner said ne could still see a dull red glow remaining for some time.” A pilot among those attacking Frank-furt-on-Main, another south-west German industrial centre, said that when one of the most powerful bombs was dropped showers of debris from blasted buildings were clearly seen even from the great height at which the aircraft was flying. Coastal Command Blenheims during last night attacked the aerodromes near Stavanger, in Norway, says the Air Ministry News Service. High explosives and incendiaries were dropped on both aerodromes. The squadron leader who led the raid opened proceedings by starting two big fires among the aerodrome buildings. Other members of his squadron followed him in and caused further havoc. When the crew of one aircraft arrived they saw a hangar burning fiercely and promptly set fire to another. A few moments after they had dropped their bombs there was a further heavy explosion Other aircraft of the Coastal Command bombed the French port of St. Nazalre for the second night in succession. Heavy bombs burst directly on docks naval workshops and on the railway depot.