Late News BLITZ ON REICH

Dominion, Volume 37, Issue 125, 22 February 1944, Page 5

Late News BLITZ ON REICH

Stuttgart Heavily Raided CRIPPLING FIGHTER PRODUCTION LONDON, February 21. The R.A.F. was over Germany again last night in great strength, the principal target being Stuttgart, in southwestern Germany. Other bombers attacked Munich and targets in occupied territory. The largest number of American heavy bombers ever employed in daylight operations yesterday attacked aircraft factories in Germany. General Arnold revealed in Washington that 2000 bombers and fighters carried out the raid which is the biggest United States air mission in history. At a conservative estimate, 35 per cent of Germany’s fighter plane production capacity knocked out. There was. cloud over Stuttgart when the raiders arrived but before the attack was over the crews through breaks in the cloud could see dense fires burning. Stuttgart has many large factories manufacturing parts for tanks and U-boats and is an important rail junction. Mosquitoes attacked Munich and there was also a big mine-laying programme. Ten aircraft are missing. A communique from the headquarters of the United States Air Force in Britain reports attacks on aircraft assembly plants at Leipzig, Gotha, Bernberg and also airframe component factories at Brunswick Liepzig. The fighter escort destroyed 61 enemy planes. Twentytwo American bombers and four fighters are missing. The number of enemy aircraft. shot down by the bombers has not yet been determined. Military installations from Gutow to Aschersleben were also bombed. Berlin radio, claiming that S 3 fourengined bombers were shot down over Leipzig, says: “During an aerial battle unequalled yet over Europe. German night fighters in' close collaboration with antiaircraft units inflicted the greatest defeat on the enemy so far. The. R-A.F. bombers thought they could avoid heavy losses in a large Scale attempt to hoodwink the defences. The disaster which befel the R.A.F. shows to what extent German night fighters have learnt how to deal with formations which approach under rover of utter darkness and thick cloud.”

Leipzig has large war factories, including more than 20 which are making aircraft components. Since the war began the huge buildings which housed the annual Liepzig Trade Fair have been converted into workshops for the repair of Junkers aircraft engines. The city is an. important railway centre, and one of thei largest junctions of the German supply route to the Russian front.