The Calais raid

GUN-POST NEAR CALAIS WRECKED

Aircraft of the Fleet Air Arm yesterday bombed and wrecked a German gun position near Calais.

The raiders, protected by Hurricanes, swept down on the target in three waves, dive-bombing in the face of tremendous fire from heavy artillery and anti-aircraft guns of all kinds. One aircraft was hit and crashed into the sea near the French coast. All the others returned safely.

The naval aircraft were led by a young Canadian, who dropped his bombs and then circled around photographing the rest of the attack. He brought back vivid pictures of the devastation caused by many direct hits.

It was the second time this officer had photographed the emplacement. He discovered it on a previous photographic reconnaissance, when he flew at less than 1,000 feet to get his pictures.

The Nazi gunfire was then so heavy that he brought his aircraft home only by great skill. One wing was shattered and collapsing, the fuselage was riddled, the petrol tank split, and fuel pouring over everything. His navigator was wounded by a pompom shell which exploded inside the fuselage. He made a forced landing at a south-coast aerodrome—and got his revenge yesterday.

Two-column article; read left column then right. The cutting shows only this article (a rule line and the start of another item are visible at the bottom edge and were left out). The article does not name Martyn.