LONG-RANGE BOMBERS OVER AALBORG

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 84, Issue 95, 24 April 1940, Page 5

LONG-RANGE BOMBERS OVER AALBORG

NAZI PLANES DESTROYED

INCENDIARY BOMBS START FIRES

[By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright] LONDON, April 22. The eleventh raid on the Germanoccupied aerodrome at Stavanger in south-west Norway by the Royal Ah Force took place last night. The Air Ministry repotted; “The R.A.F. again bombed and machinegunned the aerodrome at Stavanger and despite intense anti-aircraft fire hits by incendiary and high explosive bombs were observed. Some enemy machines are known to have been destroyed. All ou¥ planes ieturned safely.” It is understood that six to eight German machines were destroyed.

Stavanger was raided by a powerful force of long-range bombers, and in the light of a full moon 50 enemy machines were seen around the edge of the bomb-pitted aerodrome. One of the raiders dropped a saivo ol bombs from a low*altilude on a group of 15 machines and destroyed at least six. Others are believed to haw been damaged.

Another machine sowed a lane of high, explosive bombs across the aerodrome and started several fires with incendiary bombs. Another machinegunned a line of aeroplanes and saw two burst into flames. A e alvo of bombs was also placed on the road near the control tower.

Gun batteries and searchlight posts outside the aerodrome were machinegunned.

The raiders met with concentrated pom-pom and machine-gun fire from batteries outside the aerodrome. The barrage ceased abruptly as each aircraft passed clear of the landing ground. Heavy anti-aircraft fire was also encountered from the hili to the north of the aerodrome. One Plane Missing. The Air Ministry also announced that the R.A.F. successfully reattacked the German-occupied aerodrome at Aalborg (Denmark) last night. Extensive damage was done and several fires were started. One British aircraft is missing. It is reported that incendiary bombs started six fires. The first raiders to attack at Aalborg arrived to find the aerodrome boundary lights on the flare path in position and four enemy aircraft circling the land ground preparatory to landing. These quickly made off. This time the Aalborg ground defences were not caught unawares numerous searchlights ranged in wide circles outside the aerodrome flashed into action and intense anti-aircraft fire opened as the British aircraft, striking in rapid succession, came in over the target. Numerous hits were registered on the landing ground with high explosive bombs and six fires kindled by incendiary bombs were left blazing in different parts of the aerodrobe. One pilot approaching from a height of only 100 feel found that most of the searchlights could not be depressed to so low a level, and rising over the target, was able to place an accurate salvo of bombs on the road near the aerodrome control tower.

This morning’s communique stated. One British aircraft which raided Aalborg was missing. All machines which were sent to Stavanger returned safely.