HEAVY ALLIED AIR ATTACKS

Press, Volume LXXIX, Issue 23884, 1 March 1943, Page 5

HEAVY ALLIED AIR ATTACKS

RAIDS ON WESTERN EUROPE COLOGNE AGAIN BOMBED (N.Z. Press Association—Copyright) IRec. 11.30 p.m.) LONDON. Feb. 23. English newspapers, referring to round-the-clock bombing by the Royal Air Force and the American Air Force last week, speak of it as a “terrifying demonstration” of the Allies’ offensive power and say that “all this is only the beginning.” Targets bombed from Wednesday to yesterday afternoon include Wilhelmshaven, Nuremberg, Bremen, Dunkirk, Brest, Cherbourg, and Cologne. The Germans say Royal Ai. Force bombers made “nuisance” attacks last night. Friday night's* raid on Cologne was the heaviest since last May’s 1000bomber attack. In spite of wholesale evacuation it is believed that there are still 500.000 people in Cologne, which has been raided 113 times and is Germany's most bombed city. It Was officially announced yesterday afternoon that in 48 hours the Fighter. Bomber, Coastal, and Army Co-operation Commands had flown more than 2000 operational sorties, amounting to 1,500,000 miles. Cologne was the target for a very heavy attack by the’Bomber Command on Friday night. The weather was clear, apart from ground haze. Since last May, when the 1000-bomber raid was made, great efforts at restoration and repair have been reported. The raid last October and the two this

month have had a good effect in retarding progress. The anti-aircraft defences were again reported to be very moderate and few enemy fighters were seen. Two British bombers are missing. Bombs were also dropped on objectives in western Germany. Joint Allied Operations The Air Ministry says that yesterday Venturas of the Bomber Command attacked the docks of Dunkirk. The weather was good and bursts were seen on quays and shipping. Royal Air Force, United States, and Dominion fighters covered the operations. There were a number of combats. Two enemy fighters were destroyed, and one Allied aircraft is missing. Whirlwinds, with an escort of fighters, bombed the airfield at Maupierts without loss. American combat crews, back from a raid on Brest in daylight yesterday, reported seeing bombs burst and tires start in the target area. There was no loss of men or equipment. Spitfires which provided the cover, effectually beat off fighter opposition. Only abput five enemy aircraft were seen during the raid. ' Three fighters are missing aftei the raid. Aircraft of the Fighter Command attacked railway targets in northern France on Friday. . Fighters and fighter-bombers earned out three raids on the dock area of Dunkirk on Friday. During the afternoon wave after wave of British and American fighters flew over the Channel seeking enemy targets in occupied France and the Low Countries. Spitfires attacked an enemy aerodrome on thr Cherbourg Peninsula. American Raid on Wilhelmshaven Wilhelmshaven, the great naval base in north-west Germany, was the target for American bombers on Thursday night, when Flying Fortresses and Liberators carried out a devastating attack on the docks. Pilots reported that they saw the bombs drop on the docks iti spite of stiff opposition. Opposition was also encountered on the way to the target. Royal Air Force fighters escorted the bombers, seven of which failed to return. Typhoon fighters knocked out three German machines which participated in hit-and-run raids on a town in south-west England, When bombs fell on buildings, many people were trapped under the wreckage. While rescue squads were struggling to release the injured, the Germans sprayed the streets with machine-gun bullets, ihe death-roll is expected to be heavy.

JAPANESE CAMPAIGN IN CHINA OFFENSIVE IN HUPEH CHUNGKING, Feb. 27. Using 10,000 troops, supported by tanks and aeroplanes, the Japanese are pressing an offensive in central Hupeh, westward of Hankow. A Chinese communique states that losses are heavy on both sides. After three days, a battle is still raging near Futienshu. . In north Kiangsi a fierce Chinese counter-ofifensive turned the Japanese back north-west of Kaoan. The retreating Japanese were then intercepted by Chinese operating behind the Japanese lines.

RUMOUR OF HITLER’S DEATH NO CONFIRMATION OF CONJECTURE (Rec. 8.80 p.m.) NEW YORK, Feb. 27. The Toronto correspondent of the Associated Press reports that Mr Sumner Welles, Under-Secretary of State, when interviewed, said there was much conjecture in neutral capitals in Europe that Hitler might be dead. “I am sorry to say we have absolutely no confirmation.” he added. Questioned whether Hitler's death would make a real difference, Mr Welles replied; “The removal of Hitler’s evil genius would create a state of affairs in Germany bound to hasten the inevitable collapse.”'