BERLIN SIGHTED

Auckland Star, Volume LXXVI, Issue 84, 10 April 1945, Page 6

BERLIN SIGHTED

BRITISH FIGHTERS Sweep Made Ahead Of Bombing Formation N.Z.F.A. and British Wireless Rec. 2.30 p.m. LONDON, April 9. Single-engined British fighters operating from British bases this evening flew within sight of Berlin while carrying out a sweep ahead of a bomber formation Eittacking Hamburg, said the Air Ministry. Pilots clearly saw the River Spree, on which Berlin stands, also the larger buildings. They did not meet fighter opposition. Flare-dropping Halifaxes and longrange light Liberators in the early hours of to-day flew to the SkagerRak, and as a result of bombing attacks .left six merchantmen either burning or smoking, states the Air Ministry. The ships were in fast convoys, believed to be laden with supplies for U-boat bases in a Norwegian harbour. None of our planes was lost. - Ten airfields, an oil depot and an explosives depot in an area 60 miles square around Munich were attacked to-day by more than 750 Mustangs and Thunderbolts. All targets were attacked visually. Reconnaissance photographs show that one submarine, two minesweepers and three other vessels Were sunk and a 660 ft liner capsized during attacks on shipping and shipbuilding targets at Kiel on April 3 and 4 by heavy United States bombers. Every building in the great Krupp Germania Werke submarine building yards was damaged, and there was considerable damage in Deutche Werke submarine yards and the naval dockyard. . Late this afternoon R.A.F.. Lancasters, escorted by R.A.F. Spitfires and Mustangs, with 22,0001b • and 12,0001b bombs, attacked L-boat shelters at Hamburg. Oil storage depots at Hamburg were also bombed. .