POWERFUL BOMBS

Waikato Times, Volume 128, Issue 21409, 1 May 1941, Page 7

POWERFUL BOMBS

DROPPED ON MANNHEIM FIERCE FIRES STARTED ATTACKS ON SHIPPING (Omclal Wireless) (Received May 1, 11 a.m.) RUGBY, April 30 The Bomber Command last night made an attack rn force on Mannheim, some 400 miles from London. Among a large number of bombs dropped were some of the latest and most powerful types. Large fi#es were started. Other aircraft attacked oil stores ' at Rotterdam. One British bomber J is missing. In daylight yesterday many at- I tacks were made on shipping. One supplyship of about 5000 tons was I set on fire and several others were damaged. It is confirmed that four enemy bombers were shot down by antiaircraft guns during the raid on Plymouth last night, making a total of seven planes destroyed during the night. One of these was brought down as it was about to land at its base in Northern France. Other aircraft at another aerodrome in enemy territory were attacked and damaged. Ships Set on Fire In daylight yesterday the Bomber Command, with a fighter escort, searched the French and Belgian coasts for enemy shipping. Tney found a convoy near Ostend and a ship of 2000 tons was set on fire and 1 another s\ip is claimed as damaged, i Ships were also machine-gunned j and the guns of the largest ship are believed to have been disabled, as the guns ceased fire before the attack w/j over. Several Messerschmitt 109’s came in to drive off our aircraft, and during the general engagement at least one was damaged by erne of our bombers. Near the Isle of Barnouic, southwest of the Channel Islands and a few miles from the coast of France, a supply ship of 1000 tons was successfully attacked by other aircraft from a very low level. Off the coast of Norway attacks were made on escorted supply ships. ; Diving to under 200 feet two aircraft dropped bombs on the largest ship, which was between 4000 and 5000 tons, and immediately after the bombs exploded the ship was well alight. She made a quick turn towards land, and it is believed that she was severely damaged, perhaps beyond repair. Attacks were made on other ships eff the Norwegian coast. An Air Ministry communique states that from these daylight operations two Royal Air Force bombers and one fighter are missing. STRONG DEFENCES SINGAPORE PREPARED I “STICKY TIME” FOR ENEMY EAST INDIES ALSO READY i United Press Assn.—SJec. TeJ. Copyright) (Received May 1, 1 p.m.) SINGAPORE, April 30 Declaring in an interview that the defences of Malaya were growing stronger every day, the British Com-mander-in-Chief in the Far East, Air Vice-Marshal Sir R. Brooke-Popham added that any enemy attempting an attack would be in for a very sticky time. In fact the resistance would be such that a tremendous force be necessary to secure a footing at all. Malaya and Singapore were prepared for the possibility of interrupted communications. If the enemy succeeded in isolating Malaya then they would live on the accumulated resources, for which full provision had been made. The Netherland East Indies would certainly fight if attacked and he was confident that their army, navy and air force would put up a fine sho\tf. Sir Robert said that to pass by Singapore to invade Australia was hardly a practicable proposition.

AMERICAN BOMBERS

ARRIVAL IN SINGAPORE THREAT OF INVASION 'United Press Assn. —Elec. Tel. Copyright) LONDON, April 30 A steady stream of American longrange bombers is arriving at Singapore after being flown across the Pacific. The general officer commanding in Malaya, Lieutenant-General L. V. Bond, said yesterday that a threat of invasion definitely existed and it would be foolish to think otherwise. The defences of Malaya were being steadily strengthened. MILITARY POST ! APPOINTMENT REFUSED | MR ROOSEVELTS ACTION (United Press Assn. —Elec. Tel. Copyrlffbt) (Received May 1," 2 p.m.) WASHINGTON, April 30 j President Roosevelt has refused to j re-appoint Hugh Johnson, as a I brigardier-general in the Army Reserve Corps. | In recent months Johnson, as a columnist and lecturer, has severely criticised Mr Roosevelt's policy.