The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-04-18

lasted for more than hour, the air
ministry said. In addition to planes
believed to have been destroyed on
the ground two twin engined air
planes which assembled to fight the
British bomberS were thought TO
have been shot down.
The reference to the bombing of
transport planes was believed to in
dictate one reason for the British at
tention to Stavanger airport. Pre-
sumably the transports were en-
ployed in ferrying German troops
from Denmark or Germany to Nor
way.
In the second attack of the night
on Stavanger further damage was
reported inflicted.
Air circles believed that the Brit
ish by their furious assaults on the
Stavanger base-conSidered the best
in Norway for military operations
have rendered it useless to the Ger
mans for at least a period of days
until damage inflicted by the heavy
bombs can be repaired.
NO breathing space
It was indicated strongly, how
ever, that the British have no in
tention of allowing the Germans any
breathing space in which to repair
it.
There have been up to this morn
ing nine attacks by r. A. F. planes
on the air base and one lombard
ment which lasted about an hour
and fifteen minutes yesterday by
fleet units. 1t was the first bonn
bardment Of land military point Of
ficially revealed since the war
started.
Air experts believed that even if
repairs are made the greater use
fulness of Stavanger had been lost
to the Germans. They pointed out
that a newly-filled air field would
be dangerous for extensive landings
and take-offs.
Persons familiar with the base
said it was subject to easy bonn
bardment by warships with guns of
6-irch caliber or larger since it lies
near the coast and warships can
lombard it from the open sea with
out entering any ford.
No Obstacle to Guns
The field is ringed with low hills
which present no obstacle to gun
merry providing spotter airplane is
used as was reported in yesterdays
fleet operation.
Even one 6 or 8-inch cruiser
could damage the field heavily in
brief bombardment. A 6-mch
cruiser can fire broadside Of 1900
pounds each four minutes, or more
frequently if necessary.
Since yesterdays naval communi-
que mentioned forces" it was be-
lieved that more than one warship
participated in the bombardment.
The text of the air ministry COM
munique said:
Extensive air operations were
carried out Wednesday and during
last night at several points on the
coast of Norway. The main attack
was directed against Stavanger
where large number Of enemy air.
craft was seen dispersed around the
edge of the airdrome. High and
low flying attacks were delivered
by a strong force of bombers. Di-
rect hits were observed on the run
ways and bombs were seen to burst
among transport aircraft parked on
the southwest side of the airdrome.
The attack lasted over an hour.
Fighter opposition was encountered.
In addition to aircraft destroyed on
the ground two enemy aircraft were
believed to have been shot down.
Attacked Again at Night
1.-THE same airdrome was attacked
by our aircraft again during the
night. Further damage was report
ed. Our general reconnaissance air.
craft continued to patrol the fjords
and islands off the Norwegian coast.
A low level bombing attack was
made on a submarine and a hit was
observed. A supply ship also was
attacked. Three of our aircraft en-
gagged in t-ese operations failed to
return"
Residents of British southeast
coast town where a German air at
tack occurred last night reported
today that the battle was rather
thrilling"
Many residents left dance halls
and movie theaters to watch the
battle. Gunfire and heavy explo-
sions were heard at sea and were
believed to have occurred when Ger
man planes attempted to attack
shipping. No damage was reported
and there was no air raid alarm
but the sound of planes was plainly
audible. Some houses were report
ed shaken by the explosions.
One woman said that she left q
dance hall on a sea front at 1880
p. m. and heard "the sound OF
planes at sea-"
1--WE also heard one or two ex-
plosions which we took to be bombs
dropping" she said. ships quickly
went into action and fighter planes
roared overhead. There was gun
fire at intervals for about an hour
There wasn't any panic among the
| --~.kakau, II, font a rrro e ArofL nv