FOR GERMANY’S WAR INDUSTRIES

Wairarapa Times-Age, 31 May 1943, Page 3

FOR GERMANY’S WAR INDUSTRIES

Rounded Off by Shattering Attack on Wuppertal FIERCE FIRES MERGE INTO ONE HUGE BLAZE DEFENCES PETER OUT IN LATER STAGES LONDON, May 30. In one of the heaviest raids of the war R.A.F. bombers last night dropped well over 1,500 tons of bombs on Wuppertal, an entirely new target. This raid wound up a record black week for Germany’s vast Ruhr industries. It began with 1,000 tons of bombs dropped on Dortmund, followed by heavy attacks on Dusseldorff and Essen. Wuppertal, which had a population of 400,000 before the war, and probably has more now, stretches for about ten miles up a fairly narrow valley and is packed with small factories turning out parts for the great industries in the Ruhr. In addition, it has two big works, a chemical factory and a heavy ba|U and roller bearing foundry. The bomber crews report scores of fierce fires burning which merged into one huge blaze. A great pall of smoke 15,000 feet high hung over the whole city. Among the fires could be seen enormous explosions. The Germans did everything they could in trying to stop the bombers. As soon as the aircraft reached the Ruhr, belts of searchlights followed them across the sky and light and heavy antiaircraft guns put up an intense barrage. Night fighters were active. When the raiders reached Wuppertal the defences petered out and later arrivals reported no opposition at all. Thirty-three bombers are missing. At least two enemy night fighters were shot down. Over Belgium an intruder plane destroyed a German bomber.