EXTENSIVE SWEEP

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 85, Issue 10, 13 January 1941, Page 5

EXTENSIVE SWEEP

STRONG R.A.F. FORCE ENEMY TAKEN BY SURPRISE PAS-DE-CALAIS AREA. [ British Official Wireless. ] RUGBY, Jan. 10. An Air Ministry communique states that a strong force ot fighters accompanied by Royal Air Force bombers made an extensive sweep over Pas-de-Calais at mid-day. Several enemy aerodromes weie bombed and machine-gunned, and attacks were also made from a low level on military installations and patrol vessels. Only a few enemy lighters were encountered. Three were shot down and a number damaged on the ground. No British machines are missing from these operations, but one fighter clashed on returning, the pilot being injured. The news of the Royal Air Force initiative in the Pas-de-Calais sweep has aroused considerable public satisfaction. In the course of the war many daylight attacks against particular objectives in enemy-occupied territory have been executed with skill add daring by the Royal Air Force, usually taking advantage of cover provided by cloud. This is the first daylight operation carried out over an extensive area and in force against an aggregation of objectives of direct vital importance to 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 lor which the Royal Air Force swept over 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 they received when they attempted similar daylight operations against Britan, and they would still receive it if they ever attempted them again. Observers on the south coast of England witnessed part of the 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 over the English coast when a series of heavy explosions was heard from the other side. Afterwards the British airreaft were seen returning.

BRITAIN’S LATEST BOMBER GIANT “STIRLING” MACHINE Received Jan. 12, 7.45 p.m. LONDON, Jan. 11. A new bomber among the latest British air strength, designed to meet the Royal Air Force’s need for more long-range heavy aircraft, is the giant “Stirling.” The only comparable machine operating is the VickersArmstrong Wellington, which flies 3200 miles without refuelling. The “Stirling” will be capable ol much higher speeds than the Spitfire. The Fleet Air Arm’s newest and fastest fighter, the Fairey “Fulmar,” is fitted with eight guns in the leading edge of wings. These are operated by the pilot.

CLAIM BY GOERING GERMAN FACTORIES’ OUTPUT NOT AFFECTED

Received Jan. 12, 7.30 p.m. BERLIN, Jan. 11. Marshal Goering, in a speech to miners, asserted that not a single German factory had been put out of action by bombs. He claimed that Germany last year produced 500,000,000 tons of coal and coke, while all other countries combined produced only 1,000,000 tons.

HEAVY RAID ON NAPLES BATTLESHIPS AS OBJECTIVE PALERMO ALSO ATTACKED [ British Official Wireless. J RUGBY r , Jan. 10. Battleships, merchant shipping, docks, and the railway station at Naples were the objectives of a particularly heavy raid carried out on the night of January 8-9. Bombs fell either on or very near the stern of a battleship of the Littorio class, causing a dull red glow. Other bombs caused an outbreak of fire among large motor-vessels. Fires were also started along the waterfront from the north end of the dry dock to the jetty. Several bombs hit buildings on the quay and the railway line, while the railway station also suffered direct hits. A gasometer was set on lire and a series of explosions was caused in the dry dock area and among shipping. One particularly violent explosion occurred north of the railway line. Other aircraft attacked Palermo, where explosions were caused .on or near shipping moored at the jetty. Bombs straddled the northern mole and the wharf between the middle and the southern jetties.

LOSS OF FIVE ITALIAN PLANES ATTACK MADE ON MALTA ( British Official Wireless. 1 RUGBY, Jan. 10. A Royal Air Force communique states that Malta .was raided twice yesterday, the first time by enemy monoplane lighters, some of which carried out a low machine-gun attack but did only slight damage. Fighters engaged .the enemy, shooting four down into the sea. One enemy pilot was rescued. He was severely wounded. A fifth machine was shot down by anti-aircraft fire. The second enemy raid was carried out by dive-bombers on shipping. No damage are casualties resulted.