AIR TARGETS GERMANY AND AUSTRIA

Evening Post, Volume CXXXVIII, Issue 134, 4 December 1944, Page 5

AIR TARGETS GERMANY AND AUSTRIA

RAILWAYS AND SYNTHETIC

OIL REFINERIES Rec. 12.15 p.m. RUGBY, December 3. Aircraft of the R.A.F.. Bomber Command were over Germany in strength last night, with Hagen, an important railway centre in the Ruhiy- as the main objective. Cloud prevented immediate observation of the results, but the glow of fires was seen. Giessen, a railway 'centre some 35 miles north of Frankfurt-on-Main, was also bombed. Night-fighters and intruders supported the bombers and attacked airfields. Two enemy aircraft were destroyed in combat. The intruders attacked transport targets in Germany.

From these operations two bombers and two fighters are missing. About , 100 Mediterranean-based Fortresses and Liberators took advantage of favourable weather on Saturday to attack synthetic oil refineries at Blechhamer and Odertal, in upper Silesia, and targets in the Vienna area, writes a correspondent in Italy. Lightnings'and Mustangs provided the escort. Although only a few enemy fighters were seen, flak was faiily heavy in all areas. Two refineries aU Blechhamer were attacked and damage, was inflicted. The. refinery at Oder-4 tal, which is 10 miles from Blech-i! hamer, was also damaged. *-"* In all-out efforts against northern Italian railway lines and battle front targets, medium and fighter-bombers yesterday had one of their best days in recent weeks. At least 62 railway cuts are reported, while two bridges were destroyed and seven damaged. Incomplete reports indicate that a large number of locomotives, railway trucks, and- motor vehicles were destroyed or damaged.—B.O.W.