AIR OFFENSIVE

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 65, Issue 43, 30 November 1944, Page 5

AIR OFFENSIVE

THIRD NIGHT IN SUCCESSION. RAIDS AGAINST GERMANY. - TWO CITIES ATTACKED. (N.Z. Press Association—Copyright.) (Rec. 10.35 a.m.) LONDON, Nov. 29. The R.A.F. Bomber Command kept up the offensive against Germany for the third night in succession, when both Essen and Neuss were heavily attacked by forces of Lancasters and Halifaxes early this morning. Thiele cloud reached some two miles high over both cities. The crews who bombed Neuss reported that the flares were very concentrated. Sky-markers were laid continuously over Essen by a pathfinders force, and the crews reported they were as concentrated at the end of the bombing as at the beginning. Neither at Essen nor Neuss did the enemy put up much resistance. Some of the crews that* attacked Essen saw no fighters or anti-aircraft fire. Others, however, reported seeing several night fighters. By the end of the attack on tho Essen area some four square miles of cloud was glowing from fires below.

An Air Ministry communique, giving the main facts, adds: “Strong forces of MOsquitos bombed Nuremburg, and night fighters and intruders supported the bombers and attacked airfields. Three of our aircraft are missing.” United States Headquarters states that over 1000' Flying Fortresses and Liberators attacked an oil refinery at Misburg, a railway marshalling yard at Hamm, and other targets in Northwest Germany to-day. The bombers we're escorted by over 1000 Mustangs, Thunderbolts and Lightnings. Early this afternoon MOsquitos of the R.A.F. Bomber Command attacked objectives in the Duisburg area..”—British Official Wireless.