DEFENDING FIGHTERS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 22 December 1943, Page 3

DEFENDING FIGHTERS

CONFUSED BY CONCERTED ATTACKS . SEEN RACING BACK & FORWARD BETWEEN THE TWO TARGETS (British Official Wireless.) (Received This Day, 10.30 a.m.) RUGBY, December 21. While the main force of our heavy bombers, Lancasters and Halifaxes, was attacking Frankfurt last night, another force of Lancasters was bombing Mannheim and Luduvigshafen to such effect that smoke was soon rising 12,000 feet. This attack, nearly fifty miles south of the main target, split a gr'eat force of night fighters which swarmed over the Upper Rhineland from all over Germany. Fighters were seen racing back and forwards between the two targets. The attack on Frankfurt was one of the earliest in recent months, beginning at 7.30 p.m. and ending at 8 p.m., although Mosquitos arrived about half an hour later to bomb and hinder the work of the fire brigades. Smoke continued to rise from Frankfurt, as the crews flew back, until it reached a height of 14,000 feet. The daylight air offensive against Northern France is believed to have been continued today. Before noon, formations of twin-engined bombers, escorted by fighters, crossed the Channel. The day was sunny, but there was a boisterous wind.