MADE BY STRONG COMBINED FORCES

Wairarapa Times-Age, 20 August 1942, Page 3

MADE BY STRONG COMBINED FORCES

New Tank Landing Craft io Action for First Time RADIO LOCATION STATIONS AND BATTERIES DESTROYED AIRCRAFT LOSSES HEAVY ON BOTH SIDES LONDON. August 19. A Combined Operations raid at Dieppe has been completed. At least 82 enemy aircraft were destroyed and 100 others probably destroyed or damaged. Ninety-five British planes are missing, but 21 fighter pilots are known to be safe. New tank landing craft were in action for the first time. The fighting has been very fierce and the casualties are likely to be heavy on both sides. A Combined Operations Headquarters communique states that the re-embarkation of the main forces engaged began six minutes after the time scheduled and had been completed nine hours after the initial landing, as planned. Some tanks were lost during the action ashore. In addition to the destruction of a six-gun battery, a radio location station and an anti-aircraft battery were destroyed. Vital experience was gained in the employment of substantial numbers of troops and in the transport and use of heavy equipment. There was intense activity in the air and air fighting on the most intense scale developed. Seventy-two enemy aircraft are known to have been destroyed, in addition to a number shot down by naval vessels, bringing the known total to 82. More than 100 enemy aircraft were also probably destroyed or damaged. Ninety-five British aircraft are missing, but 21 fighter pilots are known to be safe. It is hoped that others will prove to have been rescued. An earlier communique stated that the troops had effected landings at all points directed. While the combined operations were in progress, two squadrons of Flying Fortress bombers attacked an enemy fighter base at Abbeville. Direct hits were scored and fires were started.