KARLSRUHE BOMBED

Evening Star, Issue 24291, 4 September 1942, Page 3

KARLSRUHE BOMBED

HEAVY R.A.F. ATTACK (British Official Wireless.) (Rec. 9.50 a.m.) RUGBY, September 3. The Air Ministry states that last night a strong force of bombers attacked the Upper Rhineland. Karlsruhe, an important railway centre, was the main objective, and very iar'ge fires were seen, with thick smoke rising to B,oooft. During the operation our bombers were engaged in many dogfights. The crew of one Wellington saw two Junkers explode on the ground after shooting them down. We lost eight bombers, which was a very small percentage ■ of the total force. In the clear light of a halfmoon, Karlsruhe was easily found by our bombers. Landmarks in and about showed up clearly. The crews saw the channel leading from the Rhine to the inland harbour and the cirj cular boulevard, which is one of the characteristics of the city. The fires were enormous. They blazed in the docks, as well as in the tow-n, and the smoke became very dense. One Halifax, which waited until the end of the attack to make a special report, said the attack was an obvious success. It was one of those very rapid attacks which have lately proved so effective in confusing the defences.