Hun Rail Centre Blasted by RAF.

Manawatu Times, Volume 67, Issue 112, 5 September 1942, Page 5

Hun Rail Centre Blasted by RAF.

KARLSRUHE IN FLAMES (British Official Wireleafi) RUGBY, Sept. 3. A strong force of bombers attacked the Upper Rhineland last night. Karlsruhe, an important railway centre, was the main objective. Very large fires were seen, with thick smoke rising 8000 feet. 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. Karlsruhe is an important transport centre for traffic to France, Switzerland, and Italy. It has important marshalling yards and also an extensive river harbour and numerous factories. In the clear light of a half-noon 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 island harbour, and the circular boulevard which is one characteristic ot the city.

The fires were enormous. They blazed in the docks as well as in the town, and' the Zmoke became very dense. The crew of one Halifax who waited until the end of the attack to make a special report said that tho attack was an Obvious success. It was one of those very rapid attacks which lately have proved so effective in confusing the defences. A German communique admits that the centre of Karlsruhe suffered par ticularly in the R.A.F. raid. The German High Command says that the Luftwaffe bombed a munition works at Ventnor yesterday. This morning, two enemy aircraft dropped bombs at a place on the south coast of England. One was shot down by fighters. Another raider dropped bombs at a place in Western England. A small number of casualties and some damage has been reported.