AT CALL OF ARMY

Dominion, Volume 37, Issue 239, 6 July 1944, Page 5

AT CALL OF ARMY

Tactical Bombers Used Against Enemy

(British Official Wireless.) (Received July 5, 8.30 p.m.) RUGBY, July 4. A short time after Mustangs aud Typhoons of the R.A.F. Second Tactical Air Forco k*d swooped at the army call to obliterate gun positions, mortars and strongpoints today, our troops moved forward. 'Mustangs and Typhoon bombers and rocket-firiflg Typhoons operating from Normandy were ready on patrol waiting to answer any radio request from the ground forces. A building believed to be a German military headquarters was one target which the Typhoons wiped out with bombs and rockets. The Mustangs, acting as dive-bombers, had satisfactory results against a number of strongpoints, including 10 mortar positions and a number of fort gunposts. Other fighters based in France swept the hinterland of the German lines. They saw few signs of activity, but destroyed road transport. Beach and shipping cover patrols were also flown and ‘Spitfires, two of which are missing, met and escorted heavy bombers of the Bomber Command to pound Pas de Calais. Helping Americans. Well over 200 Lightnings,. Thunderbolts, and Mustangs this morning took part in attacks to smash enemy gun positions and troop concentrations opposing tl.e new American advances on the western side of Cherbourg I’eninsula. 1 Fighter-bombers attacked at low level with bombs and guns between Coutances and Lessay and in the area of Berievs and St. Lo. They hit artillery positions, trenches, supply dumps, and railways. No enemy air opposition was met, but ground forces threw up very heavy anti-aircraft fire. Six Mustangs and one Lightning failed to return. Four miles north-west of St. Sauvcur Thunderbolts bombed enemy troop concentrations and destroyed a number of trucks. Lightnings cut the railway connexions between Villedieu and Vice. Mustang bombers and fighters made concentrated attacks on a railway junction near Lemans and south-east of Argentan, hitting tracks and rolling stock. Mustang fightei-s dived to strafe a small convoy of lorries towing guns south of Alencon and left the road littered with wreckage. Spitfires also strafed troop concentrations south-west of Caen and blew up an armoured ear before diving to silence machinegun posts. Weather Unfavourable. The wieather continued to interfere with air operations from midnight to noon, but during the entire period our aircraft, taking advantage of favourable intervals, attacked a variety of targets in support of our troops, says an Allied communique. All types of our fighters joined in supporting the ground operations on the Caen, Evrecy. and Cherbourg Peninsula sectors. Fighterbombers made low-level attacks ou artillery positions, supply dumps, trenches, anti railways between Coutances and Lessay.

'Troop concentrations and motor transport were successfully attacked behind the enemy lines in both sectors, and troop concentrations on railways nt Villedieu, Vice, Le Mans, and south-east of Argentan were bombed and strafed, in. spite of poor visibility. Motor convoys lowing guns were effectively hit near .Bethon, south of Aleneon, also railway targets and oil storage tanks in ilie Brest Peninsula.

Reports so far received show that 12 of our lighters arc missing. Heavy day bombers, escorted by fighters, yesterday morning attacked a number of airfields in north and north-western France, bombing by instruments. No enemy aircraft were encountered. Two of our bombers are missing. The escorting fighters also bombed and strafed two Seine bridges and trains at Lille.

Spitfires today attacked oil storage nnks in the Brest Peninsula.