OSNABRUCK ATTACKED

Southland Times, Issue 24826, 19 August 1942, Page 5

OSNABRUCK ATTACKED

(Rec. 1.10 a.m.) LONDON, August 18. Osnabruck, the German industrial and communications centre, was raided by the Royal Air Force last night. The town was heavily attacked only a week ago. Major-General Carl Spaatz, commander of the American Air Force in

the European theatre, at a Press conference said the American Air Force would begin operations against Germany as soon as the units were ready. They would take full advantage of the Royal Air Force’s experience and would raid separately or jointly with the Royal Air Force as the case might require, but there would always be full liaison. The Americans’ air bases were coming along well. They would use their own bombers, but some American fighter squadrons were using Spitfires with United States markings because they were thus in action sooner. British and American bombs were standardized.

AMERICANS BOMB ROUEN RAILWAY YARDS

(8.0.W.) RUGBY, August 17. A communique issued by the headquarters in the European theatre of operations of the United States Army and the Air Ministry states that United States Flying Fortresses, escorted by Royal Air Force,’ Dominion and Allied fighters, made a high altitude attack on the railway marshalling yards at Rouen late on Monday afternoon. The attack was successful, all the Flying Fortresses releasing their entire bomb loads on the target. Enemy pursuit planes were encountered and one was shot down by the gunner of a Flying Fortress.

Brigadier-General Baker, commanding general of the United States Army Air Force Bomber Command, led the attack in a Flying Fortress. Meanwhile, other escorted Flying Fortresses were conducting diversionary operations. All of the Fortresses returned safely.

Our fighters had many combats with enemy fighters, two of which were destroyed. Two escorting fighters are missing. Brigadier-General Baker, commenting on the Rouen raid, said he was well satisfied with the day’s work. Flying Fortresses also attacked targets at Caen. It was the first allAmerican bombing attack on Occupied France.