HEAVY SHELLFIRE

Waikato Times, Volume 127, Issue 21199, 23 August 1940, Page 6

HEAVY SHELLFIRE

ACROSS THE ENGLISH CHANNEL FIERCE BATTLE PROCEEDING LOUD EXPLOSIONS HEARD (United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright) (Received August 23, 3.15 p.m.) LONDON, August 22 According to an unconfirmed agency report received late on Thursday evening the Germans were shelling the coastal area in southeast Kent with long-range guns from the neighbourhood of Calais, ; and at the same time British planes j have been actively bombing the Ger- | man guns, which shelled a British I convoy as it was steaming up the ! Channel. ! A fierce battle is said to be taking place over the French coast, and loud explosions could be heard—sometimes so violent that they shook places on the English coast. Many flares or star shells could also be seen, as well as large red glows, both in the sky and low down at the water level. It is understood the area which the German heavy guns rvere shelling on Thursday night was that around Dover. Terrific Bombardment While the German long-range guns were shelling the coastal area of south-east Kent to-night Britisn planes launched a great attack on the French side of the Channel at or near Calais. The British planes apparently carried out an intensive bombing of Calais, endeavouring to locate and i destroy the batteries which attacked the convoy to-day. The Germans began shelling the English coast shortly after dusk. A terrific explosion shook the channel coast, gun flashes stabbing the darkness and shells being heard screaming in the sky. A salvo of three shells opened the bombardment, which continued for over half an hour. The anti-aircraft fire flashed from Calais to Boulogne, indicating that I strong formations of British planes i were attacking. I The British raid temporarily sil- | enced the German long-range guns, i which an hour later roared into ae- : tion, sending five shells across the : channel. The Royal Air Force bombers 1 thereupon delivered a second and ; fiercer attack, which is continuing.