SMOKE FROM AACHEN FOUR MILES HIGH

Auckland Star, Volume LXXIV, Issue 166, 15 July 1943, Page 5

SMOKE FROM AACHEN FOUR MILES HIGH

CONCENTRATED RAID Lancasters Carry Loads Of 80001b Bombs N.Z.P.A. and British Wireless Rec. 11 a.m. LONDON, July 14. Bomber Command last night heavily attacked the important railway centre of Aachen, in Western Germany, while intruder patrols attacked airfields in the Low Countries and destroyed one bomber. Twenty of our bombers are missing. A large number of 80001b bombs was included in the big load of high explosives and incendiaries dropped on Aachen. Nearly every aircraft in one squadron of Lancasters —the squadron had more bombers operating last night than it had ever put out before—carried 80001b bombs with incendiaries to make up the desired weight. The Germans depended almost entirely on night fighters to defend this important railway centre, through which traffic from the Ruhr is sent westwards and products from France are sent to Germany. Searchlights around the town were not fully effective because of cloud, and flak was not heavy by German standards, but the weather along most of the route was ideal for night fighters. One pilot described it as "night masquerading as day," and there were combats all the way from the coast to Aachen and back again. A few hours after the attack was over the smoke from the fires burning in Aachen had risen to a height of four miles. This was reported by a reconnaissance pilot, who flew over the town early this morning. Thick smoke was drifting away east of the town and stretched as far as the pilot could see. To-day's German communique says the Royal Air Force last night carried out a heavy terror raid on Aachen, greatly damaged residential quarters, destroyed public buildings and cultural monuments. Aachen Cathedral was hit and heavy casualties inflicted on the population. NAZI AIR STATIONS HEAVY .ALLIED ATTACKS British Official Wireless Rec. 1.30 p.m. RUGBY, July 14. It is officially announced: "Strong formations of American Army Eighth Air Force's heavy and formations of R.A.F. fighterbonibers and light bombers attacked German aircraft installations in France to-day. A Flying Fortress bombed aircraft repair and assembly plants at Villa Coublay, and aircraft factory and parx at Le Bourget, and an airfield at Amiens-Gliscy. The bombing results were good at all three targets. Fighter opposition was encountered, particularly by the formations attacking Le Bourget and Villa Coublay." Early but incomplete reports claim that over 15 enemy fighters' were destroyed by Flying Fortresses in the raids on France to : day. Typhoons attacked the airfield at Abbeville and Triqueville. R.A.F. and Dominion flyers destroyed three Focke-Wulfs 190. Thunderbolts escorted one Fortress over its target., also destroying three Focke-Wulfs 190. Eight bombers and four fighters are missing. ITALY HAMMERED SMASHING RAIDS BY U.S. PLANES t British Official Wireless Rec. 1.30 p.m. RUGBY, July 14. Middle East Liberators of the Ninth American Air Force smashed at Crotone and Vibo Valienta aerodromes in Calabria on the Italian mainland in daylight yesterday, j Nearly 200 tons of high explosive bombs were dropped, causing great damage. | At Vibo Valienta hits were ob- | served on three hangars, which were left unserviceable. Other direct hits were seen among the administrative buildings and munition storage sheds, which exploded. Transport planes were seen blazing. One enemy aircraft was seen to burst as it landed. Several oil fires were also started and great columns of black smoke rose from aerodromes as the American bombers turned homewards. At Crotone two waves of attacking bombers covered the target area, bursts starting many oil fires and causing explosions. A number of aircraft were set <an fire by incendiaries dropped in dispersal areas. Sixteen fires were observed in one section. Large fires could be seen by our bombers over Vibo Valienta. Our Liberators met nof enemy fighters. All our aircraft returned. "TABLOID BLITZ" Hull Attacked By High-speed Diving Raiders AT LEAST 12 PERSONS KILLED Rec, 11, a to. LONDON, July 14. Last 'night's German raid on a :north-east coast town, which Berlin says was ''Hull, is described as. a "tabloid blit:?." The raiders swept over the town 4n swift succession and attacked with /high-speed power dives.. \ • .. , 'The raid was over in a few minutes and people making for shelters had to 9,odge through showers of incendiary Several public buildings were extensively damaged, houses wrecked and at .least -12 persons killed >and many injured. The German news agency says the Luftwaffe 4ast night heavily raided Hull and "dropped bombs of. all calibres on the harbour area. German planes also raided important military targets in south-east England.