ROAR OF BOMBERS

Evening Star, Issue 25173, 12 May 1944, Page 3

ROAR OF BOMBERS

Great Air Offensive Continues

Smashing Blows Against Enemy-held Railways

(Eeceived 12.10 p.m.) LONDON, May 11. Within 20 hours to late evening to-day British and American heavy bombers struck a bewildering succession of blows against German-held railway yards in occupied Europe. At least 17 marshalling yards were smashed. It was the greatest single day's offensive against von Rundstedt's vital railway communications, also the twenty-fourth successive day of the pre-invasion air onslaught. The skies over Southern England to-day reverberated with the roar of bombers and fighters heading for attacks against targets on the Continent. Londoners saw one massive force of bombers going out early in the afternoon, and a report from Kent in the evening said such masses of planes had never been seen in one day. " They have been speeding in streams since 6 a.m." The bombers crossed the Channel at intervals to 8 p.m. Explosions were again heard in coastal towns, where people opened their doors and windows to avert the effects of the blast. The bangs were felt more severely owing to the calm state of the Straits. The day's operations included an attack by, 150 Marauder medium bombers against military objectives in Northern France. Hardly had the full impact of their bombload been felt, than Thunderbolt fighter-bombers, which had provided the escort to the targets, raced in to dive-bomb objectives in the same area. It was the second mission of the day for the Marauders, one of which failed to return. The flak was only moderate, and no enemy fighters challenged the raiders.