CALAIS SWEEP

Wairarapa Times-Age, 11 January 1941, Page 6

CALAIS SWEEP

BOLD STROKE BY R.A.F. ENEMY APPARENTLY SURPRISED ABSENCE OF SERIOUS OPPOSITION. CONTRAST WITH NAZI RECEPTION OVER BRITAIN. (British Official Wireless.) (Received This Day. 11.7 a.m.) RUGBY. January 10.. News of the R.A.F. initiative in its Calais sweep has aroused considerable public satisfaction. In the course of the war many daylight attacks against particular objectives in enemy and occupied territory have been executed with skill and daring by the R.A.F., usually taking advantage of the cover provided by cloud. This is the first daylight operation carried out over an extensive area and in force.against an aggregation of objectives or direct and vital importance io the enemy.

Its success seems to have been earned in advance by the enterprising and audacious spirit in which it was undertaken, The absence of serious opposition from German fighter aircraft during the 60 to 90 minutes for which the R.A.F. swept over the aerodromes and military installations, often descending out of clear skies to very low levels, suggests that the enemy was taken completely by surprise. The German Air Force is best aware of the very different reception it received when it attempted similar daylight operations against Britain and would still receive if it ever attempted them again.

Observers on the south coast of England witnessed part of the Calais operations. Bombers in close formation were seen departing across the Channel, with what is described as a strong escort of fighters. The last machine was still in sight from the English coast when a series of heavy explosions was heard from the other side. Afterwards the British aircrcaft were seen returning.