BOMBS ON NAZI BASE

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 84, Issue 68, 21 March 1940, Page 5

BOMBS ON NAZI BASE

ATTACKS LAST OVER SEVEN HOURS SERIOUS DAMAGE INFLICTED Ta.egraph—Praas Association —Copyright! Rt-ri ived March 20, 9.5 p.m. LONDON, March 20. The Air Ministry announced that bombers attacked the German Island of Sylt in relays, almost continuously. A vast quantity ot bombs was dropped, extensively damaging hangars, workshops and slipways. By 3.30 a.m. all aircraft then due back had landed safely. Later it was stated that rll the aircraft had returned safely, except one plane, which v as overdue and must be presumed lost. Information now available shows.that. lhe damage reported earlier was most extensive. h includes direct hits on slipways and hangars. The Hornum base was at first identified by moonlight and thereafter the fires started by the first bombs provided an unmistakable guide. The pilot of one machine reported that one boinh burst between hangars, and two m ar a slipway. \ communique issued by the Air Ministry at 4.15 a.m. states that the attack on Hornum, which started at 8 p.m., was still progressing at 3'a.m.. and the first participating aircraft had already returned safely. Tim pilots reported accurate bombing of the objective. Some searchlight. and anti-aircraft gun opposition was encountered. Au innkeeper on the Danish island of Homo, who was an eyewitness of the Sylt raid, -'ll id : "At 8.15 p.m. two aeroplanes dived from ti’c ch.mis. Hying low across the island northward. They dropped ei-dit bombs and disappeared. At 8.20 p.m. another plane from t: ■ \ .st drop): d two bombs. Soon afterwards I heard Ima y firin'; from the direction of the Heligoland Bight and s.i', many bombs explode on the Hindenburg Dam. At 8.40 p.m.. afb-r a terrific explosion, a brilliant flash lit up the whole island. Then alter there was a scries of explosions, indicating that a munitions depot had been hit. Later I saw a plane headed eastwards, apparently crippled, but. not pursued. At 10 p.m. I heard four explosions in the middle of the island. Altogether I counted S2 bomb explosions.” A message anm Copenhagen says that further attacks on Sylt occurred at midnight, when one plane, after dropping bombs on List, crashed in flames near the northern tip of Sylt. Shortly before 1 a.m. another plane, coming from the south, bombed Hornum. At 1.1.> a.m. another plane from the north bombed List. At 2 a.m. another from the north twice bombed Kant nm. Hornum is one ot the shore bases from which German airera? operate against British naval forces and merchant shipping.