RAIDED BY R.A.F.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 86, Issue 55, 6 March 1942, Page 5

RAIDED BY R.A.F.

RENAULT MOTOR WORKS ■ GREAT HAVOC ON FACTORIES HEAVIEST BOMBS USED (By Telegraph—Press Association —Copyright.) London, March 4. The R.A.F. last night bombed aerodromes and factories in industrial suburbs of Paris, notably Boulogne - sur-Seine, Billancourt in the south-west, and also Neuilly in the north-west. At Billancourt the Renault motor works was bombed accurately. The effect was confined almost entirely to the works themselves, and no bombs were dropped in Paris. Although the attack lasted less than two hours and the force used was not exceptionally large, the results of the raid are believed to have been good. In view of the use to which the Nazis have been putting the Renault factory, it is hoped that the raid will be of material assistance to our Russian allies. The bomber crews which took part in the raid on the Renault motor works near Paris enormous devastation was caused. They revealed that that part of the works which makes engines and German tanks and planes has been completely destroyed. One pilot said: “It was just a heap of debris and glowing ruins when we left,” and another said: “It was a lot of fire and ruins.’’ All the pilots describe how they saw their bombs fall directly on the target, and they said that the civilian areas were untouched. The bombers flew so low that debris was tossed up by the explosions past them. One of the pilots, describing the engine station of the factory, said that his bombing caused a terrific explosion. Other pilots reported seeing eight separate fires in the target area. | Sir Archibald Sinclair explained in the House of Commons to-day why the Renault works had been attacked. These works, he said, were notorious for their activity on behalf of the enemy, and the German production of tanks, aero j engines, and lorries could not be / allowed to go on unhindered j merely because the factories were in occupied territory in France. | The Renault works, which is the largest in France for the production ! of lorries, tanks and other war ma- I terials, occupies a large area on both i banks of the Seine, west of Paris, but ' the most vulnerable part is on an 1 island joined to the banks by bridges. A great part of the output of these works has gone to the Russian front. The bomber crews wore ordered to bring their bombs back if there was any possibility of mistaking the target, but they had no difficulty in find- ' mg the works. The heaviest bombs were -used in the attack. . This is the first attack the R.A.F. , has made on industrial targets near > Paris. Bomber crews last night also raided Emden and laid mines in enemy j waters. Two aircraft are missing , from the night’s operations. INSPECTION OF DAMAGE i ORDERED BY DARLAN I London, March 4. ! Vichy radio stated that Admiral Darlan, who happened to be in Paris when the R. A.K raid occurred, sent his chef de cabinet and another official to inspect the bombed areas. The Vichy news agency said that the latest estimate is that 400 were Killed and 1000 wounded in the raid. Two hundred houses are reported to have been destroyed at Billancourt. The bombed suburbs are closely packed with factories in addition to the Renault works. German planes bombed these same areas during the Battle of France. British planes were again over Paris this afternoon, but no bombs were dropped. The planes were believed to have reconnoitred to see the effects of last night’s raids. Joinville, which is the Hollywood - of Paris, is reported to have been I hit, also the hospital at Neuilly and i the gasworks at Levesinet. A statement issued on behalf of I Marshal Petain states: “This bloody | attack, . riking only at the civilian popula !, will arouse general indignation . assume the character of a nation atastrophe.” Mar. nai Petain issued a decree declaring as a national day of mourn- ! ing the day on which those killed v.’jll be buried. The bodies have not yet been removed from one shelter which was hit and in which 180 persons are believed to have been taking rciuge. The Free French National Committee in London stated: “Parisians arriving in London, without exception,