Two-way Round-the-clock Onslaught

Manawatu Times, Volume 69, Issue 65, 20 March 1944, Page 5

Two-way Round-the-clock Onslaught

(By Telegraph— Pres* Assn.—Copyright.) Received Sunday, 7.15 p.m. LONDON, March 19. An American air fleet of between 1500 and 2000 Fortresses, Liberators and long-range fighters, to-day swept into Germany in daylight for the third time in four days, to maintain a crushing two - way round-the-clock onslaught against Axis Europe. A Swiss communique reports that many four-engined American bombers this afternoon violated Swiss air space. Swiss defence squadrons went up and anti-aircraft batteries went into action, forcing 13 American planes to land. Three others crashed in flames in Eastern Switzerland. Many members of the crews parachuted to safety. Those not injured wero interned. Crowds rushed cheering into the streets as the Fortresses and Liberators swooped in over the east coast of England on their return from the raids on Southern Germany. Flying in perfect formation, the giant bombers were almost hedge hopping as they roared home. The force which flew out early was one of the largest ever seen in daylight in that part of the coast. The air offensive across the Channel was continued all the afternoon and evening. Liberator crews reported that swarms of German fighters near Frledrichshafen attacked 25 to 30 abreast, some driving right through the homber formations. The Americans found visibility good over most of the targets which attacked successfully.