American Heavies Follow Record RAF. Raid

Manawatu Times, Volume 69, Issue 64, 18 March 1944, Page 5

American Heavies Follow Record RAF. Raid

(By Telegraph—Press Assn. —Copyright.) Received Friday, 8.50 p.m. LONDON, March 17. The British-American air war against Germany was continued on Thursday after the night raids against Stuttgart and Munich. The Germans had no time to recover from the R.A.F. night attack before the American bombers went out to Southern Germany, engaging in great air battles in which the fighter escort destroyed 76 enemy planes. Headquarters of the United States Strategical Forces stated: “Fortresses and Liberators of the Eighth Air Force in very great strength attacked industrial targets in Southern Germany today escorted and supported by very strong forces of Lightnings, Thunderbolts and Mustangs of the Eighth ana Ninth Air Forces and Dominion ana Allied Spitfires. All the targets were bombed through overcast clouds by the use of instruments. Enemy fighter opposition was determined. Our fighters destroyed 76 planes in aerial combat. The number of the enemy shot down by our bombers is not yet available. Twenty-two of our bombers and 13 fighters are missing.” A later report states that in all 127 enemy planes were shot down. While the American statement does not mention the places bombed the Berlin radio said the attack was directed against the towns of Augsburg ana Ulm. “Bombs fell in the centre of the densely populated residential areas in both towns, causing considerable loss oi life. Only a fraction of the German air defences could go into action owing to the poor weather.” Augsburg has important aeroplane works and also manufactures half the Diesel engines used by the German U-boat fleet. Ulm makes motor-cars and fire engines and has two iron foundries and engineering toolmaking and leather industries. RECORD ATTACK BY R.A.F. On Wednesday night the Bomber Command dispatched a great force, which included more than 1000 heavy bombers, and dropped over 3000 tons of bombs, states the Air Ministry. Stuttgart was the main objective. The weather prevented immediate observation of the results, but towards the end of the attack the glow of large fires was seen through the clouds. Munich and objectives in Northwest Germany were also bombed. Heavy bombers attacked railway targets at Amiens. According to a Press Association message the bombload of 3000 tons dropped on Germany and occupied countries on Wednesday night was the heaviest yet annoimced for a single night’s bombing, being 500 tons greater than the previous record (that on Berlin on February 15). The Press Association says that the communique for the first time mentions the use of “over 1000 heavy bombers.” It is true that Cologne, Essen and Bremen in 1942 experienced “1000 bomber raids,” but it is safe to assume that far from all the planes then used were of the heavy four-engined type at nresent in common use by the Bomb°r Command. It is understood that the attacks against Amiens and Munich were heavy but well over 2000 tons of the 3000-ton total fell on Stuttgart. Among Stuttgart’s great factories are the smaller Daimler-Benz turning out aero engines and motor vehicles, also the Bosch electrical works making apparatus for German planes. Stuttgart factories also build submarine engines. The attack was the seventh major raid on Stuttgart. A small force of Bomber Command Lancasters in clear weather last night attacked the Michelin rubber tyre fac tory at Clermont-Ferrand about 30 miles southwest of Vichy, states an Air Ministry communique. First reports indicate that the bombing was well concentrated. Halifaxes and Stirlings attacked railway targets at Amiens and Mosquitoes bombed objectives in Western Germany. Mines were also laid in enemy waters. None of the planes are missing.