RETURN TO RUHR

Dominion, Volume 36, Issue 271, 11 August 1943, Page 5

RETURN TO RUHR

Twin Towns Raided By R.A.F. BIG FORCE USED (By Telegraph.—Press Assn. —Copyright.) LONDON, August 10. Royal Air Force bombers were over Germany in strength last night when a very heavy attack was carried out on Mannheim, on the Rhine, and 1 Mannheim's sister city, Ltidwigsbaveii, across the river. Large fires all over tlie target area are reported by pilots who took part. Mannheim is Europe's second-largest inland port, standing at the junction of (he Rhine and Neckav rivers, and is a main centre of rail ami river communications. It has n large machinery industry, and produces, most importantly, aero and submarine Diesel engines. , Ludwigshaven is one of I lie chief centres of the German chemical industries, being the headquarters of the LG. Farbenindustrie Gesellschaft. Mosquitoes also attacked targets in the Ruhr last night. Two enemy aircraft were shot down during the attacks, and nine of our bombers are missing. Fighter Sweeps. Fighter squadrons carried out sweeps over Northern France during daylight yesterday, attacking rail and road communications, . A few German aircraft were over the south-west coast of England yesterday. They were met by a heavy barrage. No bombs were dropped. N.Z. SPITFIRES Success Over France LONDON, August 9. Six German fighters were destroyed and another was damaged over northern France this evening by four Spitfires from a New Zealand squadron.. The squadron was returning from operations over France when Squadron Leader J. Checketts saw 12 Germans below his formation. He detached two other Spitfires and dived down on the enemy. After a remarkably brief action they routed the enemy fighters, only five of which got away undamaged. All four Spitfires returned safely. This brief action of odds of three to one against the Allied airmen was only part of the day’s offensive across the Channel. Altogether seven enemy aircraft were destroyed for the loss of three of our fighters. Pilot’s D F.C. The D.F.C. has been awarded to Squadron Leader John Checketts, of Invercargill, commanding officer of the New Zealand Spitfire Squadron. Squadron Leader Checketts has shot down seven Germans, all within recent months. After a longish period as pilot officer he suddenly leapt into prominence as a first-class fighter pilot. Wing Commander Alan Deere is cf opinion that Checketts is among the best commanding officers who have led New Zealand Spitfires.

Wing Commander W. V. C. Compton, D.F.C. and Bar, of Mission Bay, Auckland, has been awarded the Silver Star by General Ira Eaker, commanding officer of the U.S.A.A.F. in Britain for his work in escorting Flying Fortresses over France.