TONS OF BOMBS ON RUHR

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLIX, Issue 21992, 18 June 1941, Page 5

TONS OF BOMBS ON RUHR

Britain Implements Her Promise Mighty Offensive Maintained By Telegraph—Press Association— Copyright (Rec. 6.30 pan.) LONDON, June 17. More than *lOOO tons of high explosive bombs and thousands of incendiary bombs were dropped on the Ruhr in the first three of the four latest night raids by the Royal Air Force, says the aeronautical correspondent of the “Daily Express.” Thus Britain is implementing the promise that June would see the beginning of a mighty bombing campaign over Germany. Last night strong bomber forces of the Royal Air Force raided western Germany for the fifth night in succession. One Messerschmitt 109 is believed to have been shot down, and another was put to flight. Many bombs were dropped on industrial targets in Hanover, Cologne, and the Ruhr. The docks atxDunkirk were bombed and aerodromes in occupied France were attacked. The Official German News Agency admits that, damage was caused by high explosive and incendiary bombs. The Royal Air Force was active over the Straits of Dover and along the French coast to-day. Fighters carried out a number of sweeps, and late in the afternoon bombers attacked a number of targets in occupied France. It is known that several German fighters were shot down, and that several British aircraft are missing. Early to-night gunfire was heard over the Channel. A strong force of fighters intercepted a number of Messerschmitts, and nut them to flight. Enemy Shipping Attacked In daylight yesterday bombers took further toll of German shipping. Along the Dutch coast a cargo ship was hit and abandoned, near The Hague a 4000-ton ship in a convoy was hit and set on fire, a German E-boat is believed to have be- a sunk, and a 6003ton supply ship was damaged off the Dutch coast. Three British machines failed to return. An Air Ministry comm rnique states: “Further reports of offensive operations carried out late this afternoon show that at Boulogne the railway station and a large storehous were hit by bombs dropped by Coastal Command aircraft. These bombers were escorted by squadrons of fighters, and a number of engagements with enemy fighters took place. Two aircraft of the Coastal Command are missing. “Tn the manv combats with enemy fighters which have taken place during extensive operations by the RAE three of our fighters nave been lost, but the pilot of one is safe. Seven enemy fighters have been destroyed.” Heavy Enemy Losses An Air Ministry communique issued early on Tuesday morning said: Last evening a squadron of the Fighter Command shot down three enemy fighters and one seaplane. One of our fighters was lost, but the pilot is safe. This blings the total enemy losses in yesterday’s operations up to 11 aircraft and our losses to two bombers and four fighters, the pilots of two of which are safe.