Allied Bombers Smashing German War Targets

Manawatu Times, Volume 69, Issue 59, 13 March 1944, Page 5

Allied Bombers Smashing German War Targets

Heavy Raids in France and Germany (British Official Wireless.) Received Sunday, 9.20 p.m. RUGBY, March 11. The Air Ministry states: “On Friday night Lancasters of Bomber Command ; attacked three aircraft factories and a ball-bearing factory in Central and Southern France. Mosquitoes attached objectives in Western Germany, One oi our aircraft is missing. American heavy bombers to-day attacked targets in Western Germany and the Pas de Calais area. Tbey were escorted by American fighters.” The Air Ministry also states that on Friday morning Mosquitoes of Coastal Command in air combat over the Bay of Biscay destroyed three Junkers 88. A later report states that last night’s R.A.F. Bomber Command targets were the aircraft factories at Cleremont--I‘errand engaged in repairing aero engines, the experimental aircraft factory at Ossun which assembles fighters for the Vichy Government and repairs FW 190‘s, the aircraft factory at Chateauroux halfway between Tours and Montlucon which repairs transport aircraft, and the needle-Dearing works at La Ricameria. One or t crews saw a few fighters’ flares on the way home but no combats were reported. The American aircraft were also unopposed during tho raids on German targets. A communique states: “Military targets in Munster were attacked by Fortresses while Liberators bombed installations in Pas de Calais. Thunder Dolts and Mustangs escorted the Fortresses and Lightnings covered the Liberators. Another force of Thunderbolts carried out an offensive sweep over occupied territory, strafing aerodromes, gun positions and other German military installations. Four of our fighters are missing but all the bombers returned. On Saturday afternoon R.AF. and Allied Mosquitoes and Typhoons bombed military objectives in Northern France while United States Marauders accompanied by Allied Spitfires were again over the Pas de Calais area.” The Fortresses which flew into Germany beyond the Rhine and the Liberators which battled against heavy snow to reach France saw not a single enemy fighter, says the British United Press. The bombers flew over a solid blanket of impenetrable cloud and used their overcast technique to find their targets.