DAMAGE ON CONTINENT

Waikato Times, Volume 127, Issue 21200, 24 August 1940, Page 7

DAMAGE ON CONTINENT

GERMAN TARGETS HIT WIDESPREAD AIR RAIDS FACTORIES AND AEROPLANES (Official Wireless) (Received Aug. 24, 11.30 a.m.) RUGBY, Aug. 23 The Air Ministry states: Gun emplacements on the French coast between Calais and Boulogne were heavily attacked by Royal Air Force Bombers last night after a convoy had been shelled in the Channel. Our aircraft encountered intense anti-aircraft fire, but maintained the attack for several hours. Targets in Germany bombed during the night included a synthetic oil plant at Bottrup, an aircraft factory at Frankfurt, a power station at Knapsak, near Cologne, a high explosive factory at Griesheim, near Frankfurt, and docks on the Rhine port of Duisberg. Railway junctions at Manheim and Coblenz were attacked, and goods sidings at Hamm and Soest were bombed as usual. Attacks were also made on 22 aerodromes in Germany and occupied territory. The strong bomber force engaged in. these operations returned safely, except that one aircraft made a forced landing and the crew were killed. Many Fires Started As a German aircraft was landing last night on the flare paths at the Stomer airfield Blenheims of the Bomber Command bombed the aerodrome for a second time this week. The German ground staff had just flashed a landing light to the incoming aircraft when the Blenheims came in to attack. The flare path was extinguished as bombs exploded on the runway. Other Blenheims had the aerodrome buildings and hangars as targets and started fires among them. As the aircraft flew away the crews saw the building burning fiercely. The Dinard aerodrome was raided last night for the first time by Coastal Command Blenheims, and there also many fires were started. New hangars on the edge of the aerodrome were attacked and are believed to have been hit, as flames could be seen. A yellow glow over the Dinard aerodrome was still visible when the Blenheims were miles away on the journey home.