POLICY OF AIR MINISTRY

Timaru Herald, Volume CL, Issue 22043, 16 August 1941, Page 5

POLICY OF AIR MINISTRY

Tribute From Germany Reticence In Reports British Official Wireless (Rec. 7.20 p.m.) RUGBY, Aug. 14. Tribute to the Air Ministry policy which has been consistently pursued since air raids on this country began of giving only the slightest details of the targets attacked by the enemy comes from Germany. Explaining that * the Royal Air Force attacks are bound to increase, the official Nazi radio stated that in future the names of cities raided would not be given. Tire German people must curb “their natural anxiety to learn the truth,” although results of the Royal Air Force visitation will be apparent the following morning to those living in the vicinity. Yet in spite of this, the High Command is forced to observe strict reticence in its reports, because the enemy, too, has a particular interest in learning where and on what target his airmen scored hits. A seemingly Inconspicuous news item may often give dangerous indications to the enemy. Raid Over France A London message says that on Thursday afternoon fighters carried out a sweep over the coast of Northern France. In the course of this 13 enemy fighters were destroyed. Three of our fighters are missing. Blenheim bombers, escorted by fighters, attacked the docks at Boulogne. Bombs were seen to burst on the target. An enemy fighter was destroyed by R.A.F. fighters. The British losses were two fighters. A Royal Air Force Middle East communique says: “R.A.F. bombers carried out attacks on Bardia during Tuesday night. Direct hits were obtained on the Custom house and motor transport workshops. Enemy night-fighters were seen but did not intercept our planes. Bombs were dropped at Derna. "During the same night, heavy bombers of the R.A.F. carried out an attack on military objectives at Tripoli. The railway station was destroyed by our bombs, and a number of fires started on other targets. Motor transport on the coast road to Benghazi was also machine-gunned. “Fleet Air Arm aircraft dropped bombs on aerodromes at Catania and Gerbini, and machine-gunned dispersed aircraft. “One Cant 506 was shot down by Hurricanes off Sicily on Sunday. “From all these operations our craft returned safely.” Little Enemy Activity A late message from London says that there was little enemy activity over Britain last night, states a communique. Bombs were dropped on the north-east, east and north Midlands. The damage was slight and the casualties were small. Fourteen enemy machines were destroyed in sweeps yesterday. The British losses were five, all fighters.