Kiel Hero Tells How RAF Bombed Warship
Title
Kiel Hero Tells How RAF Bombed Warship
Description
Seven newspaper cuttings about an attack on Kiel at the beginning of the war. Jack Hanne is mentioned.
Creator
Date
1939-09-15
Temporal Coverage
Language
Type
Format
Seven newspaper cuttings on an album page
Publisher
Rights
This content is available under a CC BY-NC 4.0 International license (Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0). It has been published ‘as is’ and may contain inaccuracies or culturally inappropriate references that do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the University of Lincoln or the International Bomber Command Centre. For more information, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ and https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/legal.
Contributor
Identifier
SHanneJH564212v10002
Transcription
[underlined] DAILY SKETCH. [/underlined] B [underlined] FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 15, 1939. – Page 3. [/underlined]
KIEL HERO TELLS HOW R.A.F. BOMBED WARSHIP
THE Ministry of Information eye-witness account of the Kiel air raid, issued last night reveals that some of the R.A.F. planes flew so close to one of the two bombed warships that they almost touched her masthead.
Here is his story (by the leader of the first flight to reach this objective who had as his navigator a Canadian).
WE started for Wilhelmshaven at 4 p.m. on September 4.
We reached Wilhelmshaven after two hours’ flying.
Breaking flight formation, we flew singly into Schilling Roads. We could see German warship taking on stores from two tenedrs [sic].
At her stern we could even see some washing hanging on the line.
UNDAUNTED BY WASHING, WE PROCEEDED TO BOMB THE BATTLESHIP.
Flying at 100ft, above mast-height, all three aircraft in flight converged on her. When we flew on top of the battleship we could see the crews running fast to their stations.
We DROPPED OUR BOMBS.
The second pilot flying behind saw two hits.
The ship’s pom-pom guns began to fire as we headed for home.
My navigator saw shells bursting almost on the tail of the aircraft.
The pilot of the third aircraft skimmed in his turn towards the warship.
He saw the first bomb drop from the second bomber.
“To me,” he said, “it appeared to drop dead amidships.”
By now the battleship’s crew were all at action stations, and the third pilot got, as he said, “some hot stuff.”
This pilot dropped his bombs and made half a circuit round the battleship.
Wheeling, he noticed three bursts of anti-aircraft fire at the leader’s machine.
During the whole action only one German aircraft was seen.
This was a German biplane which flew past and disappeared.
By 7-30 p.m. the flight were back at their station.
[page break]
Llandrindod Hero
IN R.A.F. RAID.
Mr. Jack Hanne, son of Mrs. Floyd, of Llandrindod Wells, who took part in the recent R.A.F. raid on the German Fleet, and returned safely, was among those presented to the King by Sir Kingsley Wood, Minister for Air.
[page break]
J.H. HANNE proceeded to R.A.F. Halton Camp, Bucks. consequent on his success in the A/A Competitive Examination in November last.
[page break]
R.A.F. BOMB GERMAN FLEET
Ministry of Information states:
“Successful attack carried out yesterday afternoon by units of R.A.F. on vessels of German fleet at Wilhelshafen [sic] and Brunsbuttel at entrance of Kiel Canal.
“Several direct hits with heavy bombs were registered on a German battleship in Schilling Roads, off Wilhelmshafen [sic], which resulted in severe damage.
“At Brunsbuttel an attack was carried out on a battleship lying alongside the mole causing heavy damage. During the operation, which was carried out in very unfavourable conditions, our aircraft encountered air attack and anti-aircraft fire, resulting in some casualties.”
[page break]
[inverted] With Poles to the front of them [missing letter]oles to the right of them, Poles t[missing letters]e left their unfortunate troops ar[missing letters]aving yet more fighting and stil[missing letters]ss food.
This army is in danger of suffering serious reverse.
On the extreme north-east of the [missing letters]opish front the Germans would [missing letters]em to have captured Lomza and s[missing letters]cured a bridgehead over the Narew[missing letters]
But if, as they claim, they hav[missing letters]ossed the Warsaw-Vilna railway a[missing letters]ialystok “in large numbers” I[missing letters]eans that they are again stretching [missing letters]eir line too far.
RAIN MAY HELP
An attack by the Poles from centra[missing letters]land on the one hand an[missing letters]orth-astern [sic] Poland on the othe[missing letters]ould place the German motorise[missing letters]rce in this sector in a highl[missing letters]ngerous position – particularl[missing letters]nce it is reported to be raining i[missing letters]land and, if rain continues, th[missing letters]t ground may hamper the Ger-[missing letter]ans’ movements. [/inverted]
[page break]
R.A.F.’s GREAT RAID
SUCCESSFUL ATTACK ON GERMAN WARSHIPS
KING MEETS MEN WHO TOOK PART
(BY OUR NAVAL CORRESPONDENT)
BRITAIN’S first attack on the German war machine has been a highly successful R.A.F. raid on the enemy fleet lying inactive in harbour.
Despite adverse weather conditions, with heavy rain and poor visibility, the attack was pressed home with vigour and daring.
During a visit to various R.A.F. units, the King met officers and men who took part in the attack.
The fighting quality displayed by the pilots was admirable, and the results achieved confirm the high reputation of the R.A.F. The pilots included a number from the Dominions.
The first attack was on one of the two much-vaunted “pocket battleships” near Schilling Roads. The enemy was taken by surprise, but anti-aircraft batteries quickly opened fire.
Nevertheless, our machines circled round and dived low over the battleship, making direct hits with heavy bombs.
The ship and port batteries now kept up an intense anti-aircraft fire, and our airmen were also engaged by German planes, but kept to their attack.
Our aircraft next located another battleship lying alongside the Mole at Brunsbuttel, at the entrance to the Kiel Canal. Although this attack was carried out in a blinding rainstorm, heavy damage resulted.
DIRECT HITS SCORED
A high degree of navigational skill was necessary, and the fact that direct hits were registered demonstrates the ability of the R.A.F. to carry out its attacks in conditions of great difficulty.
As the Premier stated in Parliament, the objectives of the raid – the Fleet bases at Wilhelmshaven and at the entrance to the Kiel Canal – are probably among the most strongly defended points in Germany.
The raid has a double significance. In the first place, two hits were secured on a “pocket battleship,” which is likely to be out of action for some considerable time, and this means a serious loss to an already emasculated German Fleet.
The raid also marks a new development in the war against Germany, for, in 1914-18, we were almost powerless to attack enemy ships whilst they remained behind the defences of their harbours.
The fact that ships will now be liable to intensive air raids, in combination with the knowledge of our overwhelming naval superiority, may well have a marked effect on the morale of the crews. It is well to remember that it was the crews of Germany’s Fleet which [missing letters]nied in 1918, and helped to bring about her downfall.
[page break]
[for partially hidden article search “SHanneJH564212v10003”]
KIEL HERO TELLS HOW R.A.F. BOMBED WARSHIP
THE Ministry of Information eye-witness account of the Kiel air raid, issued last night reveals that some of the R.A.F. planes flew so close to one of the two bombed warships that they almost touched her masthead.
Here is his story (by the leader of the first flight to reach this objective who had as his navigator a Canadian).
WE started for Wilhelmshaven at 4 p.m. on September 4.
We reached Wilhelmshaven after two hours’ flying.
Breaking flight formation, we flew singly into Schilling Roads. We could see German warship taking on stores from two tenedrs [sic].
At her stern we could even see some washing hanging on the line.
UNDAUNTED BY WASHING, WE PROCEEDED TO BOMB THE BATTLESHIP.
Flying at 100ft, above mast-height, all three aircraft in flight converged on her. When we flew on top of the battleship we could see the crews running fast to their stations.
We DROPPED OUR BOMBS.
The second pilot flying behind saw two hits.
The ship’s pom-pom guns began to fire as we headed for home.
My navigator saw shells bursting almost on the tail of the aircraft.
The pilot of the third aircraft skimmed in his turn towards the warship.
He saw the first bomb drop from the second bomber.
“To me,” he said, “it appeared to drop dead amidships.”
By now the battleship’s crew were all at action stations, and the third pilot got, as he said, “some hot stuff.”
This pilot dropped his bombs and made half a circuit round the battleship.
Wheeling, he noticed three bursts of anti-aircraft fire at the leader’s machine.
During the whole action only one German aircraft was seen.
This was a German biplane which flew past and disappeared.
By 7-30 p.m. the flight were back at their station.
[page break]
Llandrindod Hero
IN R.A.F. RAID.
Mr. Jack Hanne, son of Mrs. Floyd, of Llandrindod Wells, who took part in the recent R.A.F. raid on the German Fleet, and returned safely, was among those presented to the King by Sir Kingsley Wood, Minister for Air.
[page break]
J.H. HANNE proceeded to R.A.F. Halton Camp, Bucks. consequent on his success in the A/A Competitive Examination in November last.
[page break]
R.A.F. BOMB GERMAN FLEET
Ministry of Information states:
“Successful attack carried out yesterday afternoon by units of R.A.F. on vessels of German fleet at Wilhelshafen [sic] and Brunsbuttel at entrance of Kiel Canal.
“Several direct hits with heavy bombs were registered on a German battleship in Schilling Roads, off Wilhelmshafen [sic], which resulted in severe damage.
“At Brunsbuttel an attack was carried out on a battleship lying alongside the mole causing heavy damage. During the operation, which was carried out in very unfavourable conditions, our aircraft encountered air attack and anti-aircraft fire, resulting in some casualties.”
[page break]
[inverted] With Poles to the front of them [missing letter]oles to the right of them, Poles t[missing letters]e left their unfortunate troops ar[missing letters]aving yet more fighting and stil[missing letters]ss food.
This army is in danger of suffering serious reverse.
On the extreme north-east of the [missing letters]opish front the Germans would [missing letters]em to have captured Lomza and s[missing letters]cured a bridgehead over the Narew[missing letters]
But if, as they claim, they hav[missing letters]ossed the Warsaw-Vilna railway a[missing letters]ialystok “in large numbers” I[missing letters]eans that they are again stretching [missing letters]eir line too far.
RAIN MAY HELP
An attack by the Poles from centra[missing letters]land on the one hand an[missing letters]orth-astern [sic] Poland on the othe[missing letters]ould place the German motorise[missing letters]rce in this sector in a highl[missing letters]ngerous position – particularl[missing letters]nce it is reported to be raining i[missing letters]land and, if rain continues, th[missing letters]t ground may hamper the Ger-[missing letter]ans’ movements. [/inverted]
[page break]
R.A.F.’s GREAT RAID
SUCCESSFUL ATTACK ON GERMAN WARSHIPS
KING MEETS MEN WHO TOOK PART
(BY OUR NAVAL CORRESPONDENT)
BRITAIN’S first attack on the German war machine has been a highly successful R.A.F. raid on the enemy fleet lying inactive in harbour.
Despite adverse weather conditions, with heavy rain and poor visibility, the attack was pressed home with vigour and daring.
During a visit to various R.A.F. units, the King met officers and men who took part in the attack.
The fighting quality displayed by the pilots was admirable, and the results achieved confirm the high reputation of the R.A.F. The pilots included a number from the Dominions.
The first attack was on one of the two much-vaunted “pocket battleships” near Schilling Roads. The enemy was taken by surprise, but anti-aircraft batteries quickly opened fire.
Nevertheless, our machines circled round and dived low over the battleship, making direct hits with heavy bombs.
The ship and port batteries now kept up an intense anti-aircraft fire, and our airmen were also engaged by German planes, but kept to their attack.
Our aircraft next located another battleship lying alongside the Mole at Brunsbuttel, at the entrance to the Kiel Canal. Although this attack was carried out in a blinding rainstorm, heavy damage resulted.
DIRECT HITS SCORED
A high degree of navigational skill was necessary, and the fact that direct hits were registered demonstrates the ability of the R.A.F. to carry out its attacks in conditions of great difficulty.
As the Premier stated in Parliament, the objectives of the raid – the Fleet bases at Wilhelmshaven and at the entrance to the Kiel Canal – are probably among the most strongly defended points in Germany.
The raid has a double significance. In the first place, two hits were secured on a “pocket battleship,” which is likely to be out of action for some considerable time, and this means a serious loss to an already emasculated German Fleet.
The raid also marks a new development in the war against Germany, for, in 1914-18, we were almost powerless to attack enemy ships whilst they remained behind the defences of their harbours.
The fact that ships will now be liable to intensive air raids, in combination with the knowledge of our overwhelming naval superiority, may well have a marked effect on the morale of the crews. It is well to remember that it was the crews of Germany’s Fleet which [missing letters]nied in 1918, and helped to bring about her downfall.
[page break]
[for partially hidden article search “SHanneJH564212v10003”]
Collection
Citation
Daily Sketch, “Kiel Hero Tells How RAF Bombed Warship,” IBCC Digital Archive, accessed November 14, 2025, https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/collections/document/37375.