AIRFIELDS HIT

Auckland Star, Volume LXXV, Issue 58, 9 March 1944, Page 5

AIRFIELDS HIT

RAIDS ON HOLLAND Other Allied Planes Blast Targets In France Rec. 1 p.m. RUGBY, Mar. 8. "Co-ordinated attacks on two German airfields in Holland were carried out in the afternoon by approximately 150 Marauders," states a British and American joint communique. "The airfields are at Soesterberg, 35 miles north-east of Rotterdam, and Volkel, only 15 miles from the German border. The Marauders were escorted and covered by R.A.F., Dominion ana Allied fighters.' None of our aircraft is missing.

"The crews reported no fighter opposition. Fighter pilots said that they observed very good bombing results and heavy damage was caused to both airfields, including the destruction of hangars, small adjoining buildings and barracks. Large fires were left burning in the aircraft dispersal areas and runways, and taxiways at Soest.erberg. Crews reported huge fires and columns of black smoke rising from the target area. The Marauders also dropped incendiaries at Soesterberg, which ignited in the barracks areas."

R.A.F. Raids Target Near Paris

Last night, states the Air Ministry, aircraft of the Bomber Command made a heavy attack on the railway yards at Le Mans, 110 miles southwest of Paris. Mosquitoes attacked objectives in Western Germany. None of our aircraft is missing. Le Mans, which was attacked by a considerable force of Lancaster? and Halifaxes, is an important distributing centre for traffic to the ports of Western France. - There are very extensive reception and storage sidings, engine sheds and wagon repair shops. Although none of our aircraft is missing, Le Mans was better defended than similar targets at Trappes, attacked the night before. Round the target there was much heavy and light flak, and night fighters made contact with the main stream of bombers. The target was accurately marked, and after a very large explosion which lit up the whole sky, a column of black smoke was well -concentrated. The crews were given strict orders to bring back their bombs if they could not be sure of their aim.

Attack on Enemy Convoy

Yesterday Beaufighters of the Coastal Command, escorted by Mufftangs of the Allied Expeditionary Air Force, attacked a convoy of enemy shipping off the Frisian fslands with torpedoes and cannonfire. bevei at hits were obtained and thiee aimed trawlers were set on fire. lwo Beaufighters are missing. A British and American communioue on yesterday's attack on targets in Northern France, states that Marauder and Typhoon bombers attacked military objectives near Conches. The Marauders Avere escorted and covered by Dominion and Allied Typhoons. Royal Canadian Spitfires destroyed two airci aft. Later in the afternoon small foices nf R \ F., Dominion and Allied Bostons,' 'Mitchells and Mosquitoes escorted by Dominion and Allied Spitfires, made further aaacks on military objectives. Other R.A.I . fighters carried out offensive patrols. From the day's operations one fighter This morning United States Marauders, escorted by R.A.F Dominion and Allied fighters, attacked taigeis in Holland.