FIERCE AIR ATTACKS.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 63, Issue 310, 11 October 1943, Page 3

FIERCE AIR ATTACKS.

U-BOAT BASES AND FACTORIES. RAIDS BY DAY AND NIG’HT. LONDON, October 10. Flying Fortress and Liberator bombers of the United States Bth Army Air * Force made their longest daylight flights yesterday when they flew from Britain to attack targets in East Prussia, Poland, and north-east Germany. The target in East Prussia was a huge factory at Marienburg which manufactures Germany’s latest fighter, the Focke Wulf 190. A factory near Stettin which makes Focke Wulf components was the second target. The third target was the twin Polish ports of Gdynia and Danzig, which are playing a vital part in Germany’s U-boat campaign. The Germans have been developing Gdynia as a naval base, and several major vessels are believed to have been in port when - the attack was made. Bombs were showered on the U-boat pens, harbour installations and docks at both ports. Swarms of German fighters came up to meet the bombers, and opposition was particularly fierce at Stettin. United States Headquarters report heavy German losses. Preliminary reports indicate that 91 German fighters were shot down. Twenty-nine American bombers were lost. American Thunderbolt fighters and. Marauder bombers were also over targets in Belgium and Northern France in daylight. None was lost. The Royal Air Force also attacked targets in daylight yesterday. Mosquitoes were over Northern France and Belgium, four aircraft being lost. Targets in France were raided by Mitchells of the Royal Netherlands Naval Air Service. Last night Mosquitoes attacked targets in Berlin without loss. A strong formation of Flying Fortresses and Liberators attacked the aircraft factory and port facilities and shipbuilding installations at Vegesack in Germany on Friday, according to an announcement from Unted States Headquarters. Thunderbolts furnished support and cover for the Fortresses. Strong opposition was encountered, the Germans apparently using new tactics against the heavy bombers but 130 enemy fighters were destroyed by them. The Thunderbolts destroyed 12. From these operations 30 bombers and three fighters are missing.