AIR OFFENSIVE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 16 March 1942, Page 4

AIR OFFENSIVE

GREAT WEIGHT OF BOMBS ""DROPPED ON COLOGNE FIGHTERS RAID NORTHERN FRANCE. TEN ENEMY PLANES SHOT DOWN. (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, March 14. An Air Ministry communique states: “Our bombers were over western Germany in force' -last night, with Cologne as the main objective. A great weight of high-explosive bombs . was dropped, and many large fires were left burning. Aerodromes in occupied territory were also attacked during the night and mines were laid in enemy waters. Four of our bombers are missing.” Another communique reports: “Our fighters yesterday afternoon carried out offensive operations on a large scale over northern France. A small force of bombers was escorted to i Hazebrouck, where railway yards were bombed. Our fighters destroyed eight enemy fighters in combat, five during the preliminary sweep of the target area and three more during an unsuccessful attack by the enemy on our returning bombers. Five of our fighters are missing from operations and a sixth is missing from an offensive patrol later in the day.” It is officially stated that, in a series of engagements over the Channel this morning, R.A.F. fighter? destroyed nine Messerschmitt 109’s without loss to themselves. Another enemy fighter was destroyed in the course of another sweep this afternoon, making 10 enemy fighters destroyed without loss to R.A.F. fighters. In sweeps off the French coast today one R.A.F. squadron encountered 10 Messerschmitts, eight of which were destroyed in terrific dogfights in and out of the clouds. Not a single British pilot received a scratch. A New Zealander, Pilot Officer Allen, shot down one enemy plane. Another New Zealander, Sergeant Edwards, shared in the destruction of another. CASUALTIES IN BRITAIN FIGURES FOR FEBRUARY. (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, March 14. Figures for civilian casualties in the United Kingdom from air raids during February, which the Ministry of Home Security announced today, bear witness to the continued lightness of German air activity over Britain. Twenty-two persons .were killed and 2121 were injured and are in hospital.