IN STRONG FORCE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 22 May 1943, Page 3

IN STRONG FORCE

AMERICANS BATTER GERMAN NAVAL PORTS Is — POWERFUL DAYLIGHT ( ATTACKS MANY ENEMY FIGHTERS SHOT DOWN. FIFTEEN ALLIED AIRCRAFT .LOST. (By Telegraph—Press Association —Copyright) LONDON, May 21. A strong force of American heavy bombers flew from this country today to batter the U-boat building yards at Wilhelmshaven. and Emden at noon. The raid was made without fighter escort and the bombers met very stiff fighter opposition and intense flak. In spite of that, they pressed home their attack. A communique states that a large weight of bombs was dropped and many enemy fighters were shot down in clashes with the bombers. American fighter squadrons were out in force operating off the Dutch coast. .One group was in action against Focke-Wujfs and some of the enemy planes were hit, though their destruction is not confirmed. In the day’s operations 12 bombers and three fighters did not get back. WIDELY EXTENDED R.A.F. OPERATIONS. FROM BERLIN TO CENTRAL FRANCE. (By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright) ■LONDON, May 21. Last night the R.A.F. attacked at .points .from Berlin, which was raided for the second night running by Mosquitoes, to far down in Central France. Beaufighters and Mosquitoes shot up barges, factories and airfields and more valuable locomotives were put out of action. Many of the attacks were in heavily defended territory between Essen and Bremen. Other bombers were out in force over the enemy sea lanes. All these R.A.F. operations cost one fighter. Two enemy fighters were shot down yesterday. The Ruhr city of Essen, home of the great Krupp works, is reported to be the latest city to be imperilled by the flood from the broken Mohne dam.