The Archive · 1940

Industrial Areas

London, Aug. 12. powerful German air assault since n War. confirmed that at least sixty Ger-accounted for, adding that known British e the greatest of any day since aerial warfare British Isles. An estimated ninety planes in dive bombers and fighters swarmed over if Hf iiti it Germans in four days amounted to 171 craft it was officially ment said.

'A number of houses were also said to have been damaged. Some buildings were damaged beyond repair, the announcement indicated.

British internal communications were also damaged and an oil tank was set afire, the Air Ministry an-e|nouncement said, but the oil tank fire was quickly brought under control.

Mass Raids on Germany "Waves of British heavy bombers roared deep into Germany early yes-and German positions at Cologne with heavy bombs. Other squadrons bombed the already "partly ruined" port at Hamburg. A huge explosives factory at Cologne was the main objective bombed in that city, announcement said. The giant Wer station at Hamburg also was to have been bombed.

The British "Nighthawk" squadrons of night raiders were said to have struck one of their most powerful blows of the war against German industrial and military bases before dawn yesterday.

"Whole Country "Blanketed"

Late Saturday, the Air Ministry announced, the RAF. practically "blanketed" Germany and German-held territory in one of the most extensive attacks yet aimed against the Nazis.

British planes were said to have raided German oil supplies, a chemical works and a blast furnace at Frankfort and oil supplies at Hamburg. The wharves at Duisberg were bombed and supply depots at Hamm and Soest also were attacked, the announcement said.

The German-occupied English channel island of Guernsey was said to have been "peppered" with high explosive bombs for the second time in 24 hours.

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