EXPANDING IN POWER

Wairarapa Times-Age, 5 November 1943, Page 3

EXPANDING IN POWER

DAY & NIGHT BOMBING OF GERMANY r.a.f. again blasts dusseldorff. CONCENTRATED & EFFECTIVE ATTACK. (By Telegraph—Press Association —Copyright) LONDON, November 4. The R.A.F. was over Germany in great strength last night when a heavy attack was made on Dusseldorf. First reports say that the bombing was concentrated and effective. A small force attacked Cologne, and Mosquitos were over the Ruhr and the Rhineland. Mines were also laid in enemy waters. Four German planes were destroyed. Nineteen British aircraft did not return. The Berlin radio says that Cologne cathedral was heavily damaged when the R.A.F. attacked the city. One bomb tore a 15-yard long section off the nave next to the main doorway. The interior was also heavily damaged and precious ornaments and priceless statues destroyed. In yesterday’s great American and R.A.F. raids on Germany, 4000 tons of bombs were dropped, the greatest load on enemy targets in one day and night. Of this total 2,000 tons were dropped in the R.A.F. night raid on Dusseldorf. The American daylight raid on Wilhelmshaven is described by the United States War Secretary (Mr Stimson) as the heaviest daylight air operation in history. The Berlin radio says British aircraft were over Western Germany tonight. Bombs were dropped at several places. THOUSAND PLANES BIG AMERICAN FORCE. ENEMY FIGHTERS BEATEN OFF. LONDON, November 4. _ One estimate of the force of American planes which raided north-west Germany yesterday is 1000, including fighters. The big German naval base of Wilhelmshaven received its eightyfirst raid. The losses in the raid were only five bombers, the smallest in any major daylight operation by the Americans. The escort rarely permitted enemy fighters to get close enough to the bombers to use even their long-range rocket guns. The bombers shot down 18 enemy planes and escorting fighters accounted for 16. The “Daily Telegraph’s” aviation writer says that the United States Eighth Air Force which was responsible for the raid is far; more powerful than is generally realised. It has built up its strength till it is comparable to our Bomber Command, which is itself greater than ever the Air Ministry has announced. NEW SUPER=BOMBER READY TO GO INTO ACTION. LONDON, November 4. It is announced that the new 829 super-bomber of the United States air forces is now ready to go into action. This bomber is reported to have more than double the range and. carrying capacity of the present Flying Fortress.