Widespread Attacks on Other Targets

Manawatu Times, Volume 69, Issue 53, 6 March 1944, Page 5

Widespread Attacks on Other Targets

(By Telegraph—Press Assn.—Copyright.) Received Sunday 8.30 p.m, LONDON. March 5. The Press Association’s correspondent at an American homher hase in Britain says the crews of the Plying Fortresses kept their giant bombers aloft in temperatures of nearly 60 below freezing point and blasted a path through swarms of German fighters to drop their first daylight load on Berlin. It was a gruelling flight, but all the members of the crews agreed that it was worth it. One gunner said: “We flew over a solid barrage of flak to reach the target. A flock of fighters followed us almost into the flak around the target. The bombers used a navigational device but the target could occasionally be seen through the clouds.” Heavy American bombers on Saturday attacked targets in Germany. They were escorted and supported by American and R.A.F. fighters. Saturday’s was the third attack by American heavy bombers against targets in the Reich this month. An official announcement says that Saturday’s targets were in Eastern Germany. One formation reported attacking a target in the Berlin district. The flight was made through difficult flying conditions with cloud often as high as 30,000 feet. Details of the American heavy bombers’ first daylight raid on the Berlin district are eagerly awaited. Coming at the same time as the fighter penetration to Berlin and the first use of a 12,000-pound bomb, it made a great impression in London. It evidently marks an important new stage in this year’s rapid development of the BritishAmerican offensive again German industry in general and air power in particular. Longrange Lightnings of the Eighth A.A.F. flew an offensive fighter sweep over Berlin in daylight on Friday, states the headquarters of the European Theatre of Operations of the Unitea States Army. It was the first time American aircraft in formation had flown over Berlin. It was also an unusually deep penetration by fighters into enemy territory, at least equal in distance to the previous record penetration—Regensburg last week. While the fighters were thus engaged Fortresses and Liberators were bombing targets in Northwest Germany. Many of the bombers encountered difficult visibility conditions and also haa fights with German fighters. Thunderbolts and Mustangs escorted the bombers. R.A.F., Dominion and Allied fighters which supported the American heavy bombers included a wing of R.A.F. Mustangs which made one of their deepest formation flights so far. The Eagle Squadron, formerly of the R.A.F. ana now of the U.S.A.A.F., also flew Mustangs in the raid. On Friday night Mosquitoes of Bomber Command attacked objectives in Berlin and Western Germany. Other aircraft laid mines in enemy waters. All returned. R.A.F., Dominion and Allied Mitchells, Bostons and Mosquitoes of the Second Tactical Air Force escorted by R.A.F. and Allied Typhoons and Spitfires bombed military objectives in Northern France. Similar attacks were made by unescorted Typhoon bombers. All our planes returned. Against odds greater than seven to one eight entrapped American Mustang fighters battled with more than 60 German planes and came out with better than an even score. Five of the eight American planes evaded their foes and shot down four Germans to avenge the loss of three American fighters. The Mustangs were on a bomber escort assignment and had become separated from the rest of their group when the Jerries began pouncing upon them out of the sun. The Ministry of Aircraft Production states that the output of aircraft in United Kingdom factories continues to increase. The total structure weight output in February was over 26 per cent higher than for February 1943, while the increase in heavy bomber structure production for the same periods shows an increase of over 33 per cent. Mr. Churchill sent Sir Stafford Cripps a message congratulating him and all concerned on the output of aircraft for February and upon beating the programme.