AIR WAR FLARE-UP

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21051, 24 March 1943, Page 3

AIR WAR FLARE-UP

ALLIED SORTIES ST. NAZAIRE POUNDED HEAVY R.A.F. ATTACK (By Telegraph Press Aasn.— Copyright.) (10.30 a.in. i LONDON, March After a lull due to had weather I he air war lias flared up with 24 houis almost continuous activity on Die European coast, from the Day of Biscay to Wilholnishaven. . . The offensive reopened with ''lnnwinds attacking western Franco for a second offensive night, followed up by Venturas’ bombing raid on Maas|ius, Holland, lighters train-busting in the north of France, and the successful onslaught on Wilhelmsluiyen yosterduv by Liberators and Flying I'oi- ' The ' Berlin radio admitted that damnand casualties were suiieied at; Wilhelinshaven. . ... The Mosquitoes’ operations in the Bay of Biscay mean a 1000-mile round flight. The submarine base at >St. Nazaue was heavily bombed last night. One aircraft is missing. . Whirlwinds, without- loss, bombed railway targets in Brittany. One enemy aircraft was destroyed over England. Nearly 300 four-engined . bombers last night attacked St. Nazaire, says the Air Ministry. The weather en route was extremely difficult, though favourable over the target. The ground defences were only moderate for this target which is usually heavily defended. the Germans relied mainly on night fighters. There were a number ol combats but only one of our bombers failed to return. The crews report that the attach was heavy and concentrated. When the bombers returned the ground weather conditions were very bad and large numbers of aircraft had to be diverted from their own bases to other airfields. One bomber had to make a forced landing.