MANY FIRES AT HAMBURG

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLIX, Issue 21958, 9 May 1941, Page 5

MANY FIRES AT HAMBURG

Combats With Enemy Bombers British Official Wireless (Rec. 7.30 p.m.) RUGBY, May 7. A remarkably clear sky with the moon shining brightly above thick cloud layers was experienced by a strong force of Royal Air Force bombers which attacked Hamburg last night. Anti-aircraft shells came up through their dense blanket and there were night fighters along the route. Far above thick clouds there were several combats. Some enemy fighters came very close and by entering a cloud one bomber evaded three single-engined fighters which dived to attack. A Messerschmitt 100 was damaged in another encounter. German bombers on their way back from raids on this country were also seen. Over the North Sea a twinengined bomber passed overhead. A tracer came from the enemy and the British bomber’s rear-gunner answered with a good burst. Another bomber was attacked by both a Hcinkel 111 and a Junkers 88. Both the enemy machines were hit and the rear-gunner was sure he had seriously damaged the Heinkel. Over Hamburg the weather was more favourable for bombing than observation of results, but when the cloud opened many fires were seen and at other times the brilliant flashes of heavy high explosives were seen reflected on the clouds. In a patch of clear sky the RAF. bombed a large industrial building on the north bank of the canal and set it well alight.