FIERCE BARRAGE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 12 July 1943, Page 3

FIERCE BARRAGE

MET BV R.A.F. BOMBERS IN HEAVY NIGHT ATTACK ON RUHR. MANY LARGE FIRES STARTED. (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY. July 10. The German defences put up one of the fiercest barrages since the battle of the Ruhr began when our bombers made a very heavy attack on the central Ruhr, including Gelsenkirchen, last night, states the Air Ministry. The night was too dark for full observation, but it is known that heavy damage was done, and many large fires were started

Night fighters were much less numerous than usual, the Germans relying more on a terrific barrage. One Lancaster caught in a barrage after it had bombed its target was blown up side down twice in as many minutes, but returned home safely.

Huge four-engined bombers were rocked like cradles. The crews often thought their aircraft were hit when in fact shells were exploding nearby. Several enemy fighters were damaged and possibly destroyed. Ten R.A.F. bombers failed to return.

R.A.F. Bostons were over Northern France this afternoon attacking power stations which supply German-con-trolled factories. The pilots flew so low that one had to jump over high tension cables.