R.A.F. RAID ON COLOGNE

Press, Volume LXXX, Issue 24401, 30 October 1944, Page 5

R.A.F. RAID ON COLOGNE

HEAVIEST ATTACK OF WAR SUPPORT FOR ALLIED ARMIES (Rec. 11 p.m.) LONDON, Oct. 29. “Cologne, which is the most damaged city of the Ruhr and Rhineland, on Saturday afternoon received its heaviest Royal Air Force raid of the war,” says the A.ir Ministry News Service. “More than 1000 bombers went to Cologne and Walcheren. More than 400 Spitfires and Mustangs escorted the bombers. “This formidable attack on Cologne was made in direct support of the Allied armies now on the German frontier or beyond. The Germans have a number of advanced bases at Cologne and other industrial cities close behind the front line. The railways of Cologne form, a network of yards and junctions, which, w.ere expressly laid down for strategic purposes and to serve the army fighting in the west. “The Royal Air Force raiders found the sky clear over Cologne. Crews agreed that the bombing was well concentrated They saw large fires. "The last heavy Royal Air Force attack oh Cologne was on the night or "April 4, after it was learned that several key factories had been reconstructed. “Mosquitoes made two separate attacks on Cologne last night, when large fires were still burning. Royal Air Force Lancasters attacked submarine bases at Bergen on the coast of Norway. Five bombers are missing from the night’s operations. "The iron bridge across the Rhine at Cologne, which links up the main part of the city with the suburbs on the east bank of the river was probably destroyed in the raid,’’ says the British United Press correspondent. “Canadian crews reported that bombs fell right in the centre of the bridge. The only other link between the two parts of Cologne is a bridge of boats.” Seven bombers and one fighter are missing from the Cologne raid. Marshalling yards at Hamm and Muenster were attacked on Saturday by some 350 Flying Fortresses of the United States Bth Air Force. About 200 Mustangs escorted the bombers. The Air Ministry announces that strong forces of Royal Air Force Haliand Lancasters escorted by Spitfires, on Saturday morning, attacked gun emplacements on the island of Walcheren. Visibility was excellent and reports Indicate that the bombing was successful. The aircraft attacked from so low a level that they were constantly shaken by the explosion of their bombs. Royal Air Force Mosquito bombers on Friday night rhade two attacks on Berlin. Objectives in western Germany were also bombed. No aircraft are missing.