AERIAL INVASION

Greymouth Evening Star, 21 July 1944, Page 5

AERIAL INVASION

5,000 BOMBERSJIVER REICH OIL PLANTS MAIN TARGET (ReC; 11.35 a.m.) LONDON, July 20, American Air Forces based m Britain and Italy sent over 5000 heavy bombers, escorted by 3500 fighters, against targets in Germany and Austria in the live days ended today, in what a SHAEF spokesman described as “the invasion of the Reich by a highly-trained army of 50,000 officers and men,” This new phase of the aerial war, which is a lull-scale offensive comparable with that which crippled the German aircraft industry, is directed principally against the German oil industry. The Luftwaffe’s decline is indicated by the fact that the Americans used more bombers but fewer fighters than in the offensive from February 20 to February 26, from which the Luftwaffe never recovered. Chemical plants are also among the targets for the new assault, particularly those manufacturing hydrogen peroxide, which is used for launching flying bombs. RUGBY, July 20. An Air Ministry communique states: Bomber Command Lancasters under fighter cover’ yesterday attacked flying-bomb installations in North France, and a flying bomb depot at Thiverny, 30 miles north-east or Paris. A Mosquito force last night attacked Bremen. Mines were laid in enemy waters. None of our aircraft is missing. To-day for the third consecutive day, the 15th United States Air Force heavy bombers attacked targets in Southern Germany. Three targets at Friedrichshafen were attacked by Liberators, two airfields south-west of Munich were bombed by Fortresses. Enemy opposition, like yesterday, was comparatively weak, and few managed*to get through the escorting Mustangs and Lightnings. A number which tried, were shot down. Liberators bombed the Mayback component shop of the Zeppelin works, the Lowenthal aerodrome, all the immediate outskirts of Friedrichshafen. Fortresses again bombed Mamingen aerodrome, 70 miles southwest of Munich, while another Fortress formation attacked . Baclwonshofen aerodrome. 45 miles southwest of Munich. Early reports indicate that good results were achieved in all targets. U.S.A. CASUALTIES LESS.

LONDON, July 20. General Doolittle, Commander of the Eighth Air Force, told Mr. A. Stimson (United States Secretary of War) when he visited at the Eight Air Force base in England yesterday, that United States bomber losses were a quarter of what they were two months ago, although the proportion of fighter escorts was lower. He added: “We consider rhe best defence is to take the offensive against factories producing German fighters. FLYING BOMBS "LONDON, July 20. Anti-aircraft guns in Southern England blew a number of flyingbombs to pieces during Thursday night’s attack, which was not on as heavy scale as that of the previous night. The barrage was the heaviest and most concentrated thus far. DULWICH COLLEGE HIT. LONDON, July 20. Further casualties and damage resulted from flying, bomb attacks throughoutout the night on the southern counties, including the London area The Germans continued to launch the bombs against southern England after’ dawn to-day. It may now be revealed that uuiwich College, one of the best-known public schools in the London area, was hit by a flying bomb recently. One wing of the main building was destroyed, the adjoining science block was severely damaged, and the boiler house wrecked. There were no casualties. The boarders were in era in shelters beneath lhe mam building when the bomb fell. TRANSPORT PLANE'S RECORD. WASHINGTON, July 20 A four-engined Douglas C 54 transport plane flew non-stop from London to Washington lor the first time in history, covering the 3800 miles in 18 hours.