DEVASTATING SWEEPS

Dominion, Volume 35, Issue 174, 20 April 1942, Page 5

DEVASTATING SWEEPS

German Reluctance To Fight (British Ollici-al Wireless.) RUGBY, April 17. For the sixth successive day British fighters and bombers have 'been making attacks on enemy-occupied territory. Improved flying, weather has made it possible for the R.A.F. to attack the Germans throughout the whole of the last 24 hours. Ib-Is authoritatively stated that more than 400 Spitfires took part in offensive operations over Northern France on Thursday, and the number of machines engaged in Friday's sweeps was greater still. Today’s targets included a factory at Marquise in Calais, and the Boulogne area, which was bombed by Hurricanes. Au Air .Ministry communique said that during the morning, fighters swept over the Cherbourg peninsula. They also escorted bomb-carrying Hurricanes to Marquise, where a shell-fill-ing factory was hit. In the afternoon, the fighters made big sweeps inland toward St. Omer, and along the French coast escorted Boston bombers in attacks' on targets at Calais, Rouen and Cherbourg. Bombs hit tlie main railway line at Calais and at Rouen a power station, shipyards and fuel tanks were hit. At Cherbourg, the docks were bombed. Utile Opposition.

Generally, little opposition was encountered from enemy fighters, but in one operation two of them were destroyed. One of our bombers and two fighters are missing. An Air Ministry bulletin says that Hie main feature of the morning and afternoon sweeps was the German reluctance to fight. The leader of one ot tlie Spitfire wings reported: “Considerable numbers of enemy lighters flew back parallel witli our wing but they were apparently content to remain out of range. Though they were equal to us in number, 2000 feet higher, and in an advantageous position, only three of a formation ot' Fceke-Wulf 190's made any attacks.”

Other lighters escorting Htnricanes saw their bombs drop right on a shellfilling factory at Marquise, near Calais, and when tlie smoke cleared, large holes were seM). Tlie Hurricanes went into a power-dive over the Marquise factory from 9000 to 2000 feet. There is no doubt the buildings were given a thorough knocking about.

As Hie afternoon sweeps continued, further bombers were escorted, but ver.v few enemy fighters were seen. Of several hundred fighters which took part, in these operations, only two are missing.

Pilots who attacked Cherbourg reported smoke rising from the area of the basin. It was impossible, however, to see the full extent of the damage because of tighter oppr'ition.