BRITISH BOMBS CAUSE HAVOC

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 84, Issue 96, 26 April 1940, Page 5

BRITISH BOMBS CAUSE HAVOC

WIDESPREAD OPERATIONS BY THE R.A.F. [ British Official Wireless, j Received April 25. 6.30 p.m. RUGBY, April 24. , In connection with the British air i raid which took place on Stavanger I shortly before dawn this morning, high I explosive bombs played new havoc with the already crater-pitted aerodrome surface, and one raider making a dive bombing attack at low level released a heavy salvo which was seen to fall and burst near the side of the main runway. A strongly-burning fire was reported by one of the returning raiders. The Kristiansand raiders also concentrated their attentions on the runways and aerodrome buildings. Attacking in quick succession from different heights they successfully evaded the barrage put up by the ground defences and registered numerious hits. I'Umb bursts were observed and confirmed on the edge of the runway and between the runway and the hangars, and one salvo exploded within 50 yards of the main hangars. Oslo’s Principal Airport. Fornebu air base, Oslo’s principal airport for both land and sea planes lying to the west of the city, was also raided by part of the same attacking force and heavy bombs were dropped on the aerodrome to increase the damage already done to th“ landing ground in the previous night raid. One aircraft detailed for tne attack or. Forenbu did not reach its c-ojective, having previously sighted two enemy supply ships steaming north neat the head of Oslo Fiord. Coming down to 2000 feet the aircraft dropped two salvos of bombs in succession, which burst close to the leading vessel, and then followed up its attack by descending to within 150 feet of the water anti carrying out a close-range machinegun attack on the decks imt superstructure of the leading riiip as it made for the shore. The attack on Aalborg- l!w four'll successive raid by the R.A.F. on Germany's principal air base in Denmark —was made in perfect weather under a cloudless sky by a full moon. For the first time no enemy aircraft were seen on the aerodrome but powerful ground t.efences were on the alert am- the Brit, ish raiders were met by a barrage fire over the target area and the persistent attentions of a ring of blue and white searchlights ranged in a circle outside the aerodrome. High-level bombing attacks were made in clear moonlight and numerous hks were observed on the aerodrome.

Hangar Hit Several Times. The raid on Westerland, which is a convenient base for attacks on shipping along the coast of Norway and against Allied troops and lines of communication, was carried out by a large force of long-range bombers. On' hangar was hit several times and another is believed to have been badly damaged by bombs which fell between it and the runway. At the time of the attack night operations were evidently being carried out by the enemy, for one pilot reported that lights were seen on the hangars and round the boundary of the aerodrome. These were extinguished as he neared the objective. The approach to Westerland was made from various directions and there was little doubt that this method of attack momentarily took the enemy by surprise, for the first bomber to reach the objective encountered only moderate fire. The opposition increased in intensity, however, as the attack developed and throughout most of the action pompoms placed round the aerodrome maintained a steady barrage of fire. While these raids were in progress other aircraft of the bomber commanq were carrying out the customary security patrol over the bases of the German minelaying aircraft. One ot these patrolling off the island of Syli.

was fired on by two naval auxiliaries. Selecting its target and diving from 4000 to 1500 feet in the face of intense anti-aircraft fire, the British aircraft bombed one of the ships. The craft fire ceased abruptly and, in the words of the pilot’s own report “the ship disappeared.” Another aircraft patrolling a nearby area soon after midnight, came undci lire from two large motor-boats. The aircraft at once made a low-leve.; bombing attack, dropping six bombs in ‘quick succession, and turning back to observe the results the pilot could see only one boat on the water. This aircraft was also able to observe the attack on Westerland from a distance and reported seeing a large explosion on the west side of the aerodrome. Of the large force ot aircraft employed on the night’s widespread operations, two failed to return.