AXIS TRANSPORT

Wairarapa Times-Age, 17 May 1943, Page 4

AXIS TRANSPORT

HARRIED BY BRITISH AIRCRAFT DIRECT HIT ON TANKER. MUCH DAMAGE TO LOCOMOTIVES & OTHER TARGETS. (British Official Wireless.) (Received This Day, 11.0 a.m.) RUGBY, May 16. In one of their busiest nights for some time, Fighter Command intruders and other long-range aircraft probed deep into enemy territory last night. Some penetrated as far as Berlin itself. Mosquitoes, Typhoons, Beaufighters, Whirlwinds and Bostons took part and their targets included trains, barges, lorries and airfields in France, Belgium, Holland and Germany; also a convoy off the French coast, near Cape Barfleur. A hit was scored by a Whirlwind on a 2,500 ton tanker. The pilot of the aircraft saw a sheet of flame rise 100 feet and heard a terrific explosion. He claimed the tanker as “seriously damaged.” A Mosquito pilot who attacked a factory near Karlsruhe had one engine disabled and returned to Britain on the other. “It was a remarkable show for the aircraft,” he said, “and I am grateful to the men and women who built it so sturdily.” At Leewen two barges in a convoy were damaged and another pilot saw hits on three out of six barges near Dunkirk. A locomotive north of Thourout was left a mass of flames and two Canadian pilots damaged at least four trains. A barge was exploded by another Canadian and two electric trains were stopped at Blois by an Australian, in a Mosquito. He raked both with cannon fire and left them burning. Another Mosquito pilot attacked four trains. Typhoon bombers attacked airfield buildings, rail sidings, huts and barges, one pilot destroying three barges out of a string of seven. ATTACK ON SUNDERLAND REPORTED BY GERMANS. (Received This Day, 12.45 p.m.) LONDON, May 16. A German communique claims that strong Luftwaffe. forces last night dropped high explosives and incendiaries on the shipyard centre of Sunderland, causing considerable damage, particularly to shipyards. Three planes did not return. GREAT ACTIVITY STRONG FORCES CROSS CHANNEL. AT LOW & HIGH LEVELS. (British Official Wireless.) (Received This Day, 9.45 a.m.) RUGBY, May 16. The daylight air offensive on enemy occupied territories in Europe proceeds. Big formations swept over the Straits of Dover today. Early in the afternoon a strong force roared over Folkstone for several minutes, flying in the direction of Northern France. Later there was further activity to the east, high-flying aircraft leaving long vapour trails which extended for miles in unbroken lines, some left by outgoing formations and others by returning planes. \ WITHOUT LOSS WIDESPREAD R.A.F. RAIDS. (Received This Day, 11.40 a.m.) LONDON, May 16. No British planes were lost in last night’s widespread R.A.F. raids on Berlin and on targets in France, Belgium, Holland and Germany.