COLOGNE POUNDED

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21548, 30 October 1944, Page 3

COLOGNE POUNDED

CITY’S WORST RAID RHINE BRIDGE CUT KEY RAILWAY TARGETS UO a.m.) LONDON, Oct, 29. Cologne, which is the most damaged city in the Ruhr and Rhineland, on Saturday afternoon received its heaviest Royal Air Force raid of the war, states the Air Ministry News Service. More than 1000 bombers went to Cologne and Walcheren Island. More than 400 Spitfires and Mustangs escorted the bombers. This formidable attack on Cologne was made in direct support of the Allied armies now on the German frontier or beyond. The Germans have a number of advanced bases at Cologne and other industrial cities close behind the front line. The railways at Cologne form a network of yards and junctions which were expressly laid down for strategic purposes and to serve the army lighting in the west.

The Royal Air Force found the sky clear over Cologne. The crews agree that the bombing was well concentrated. They saw large fires. Bridge Hit By Bombs

The Iloyal Air Force’s last heavy attack on Cologne was on the night ol' April 20, after it had learned that several key factories had been reconstructed. The iron bridge across the Rhine at Cologne, which links up the main part of the city with the suburbs on the east bank of the river, was probably destroyed in the latest raid, says the British United Press’ correspondent. Canadian crews reported that bombs fell right in the centre of the bridge. The only other link between the two parts of Cologne is a bridge of boats. Seven bombers and one lighter are missing from the raid on Cologne. Squadrons of Royal Air Force Bomber Command Mosquitoes last night twice attacked Cologne. The large fires started in the attack on Saturday afternoon were still burning. A force of Lancasters bombed the submarine shelters at Bergen, and mines were laid in enemy waters. Bomber Command night fighters attacked airfields all well behind the enemy lines. Five planes are missing from all operations.

Royal Air Force Mosquito bombers on Friday night made two attacks on Berlin. Objectives in western Germany were also bombed. No aircraft is missing. Railway Centres Plastered The Air Ministry announced that strong forces of Royal Air Force Halilnxes and Lancasters, escorted by Spitiires, on Saturday morning attacked gun emplacements on the island of Walcheren. Visibility was excellent and the reports indicate that the bombing was successful. The aircraft attacked from so low a level mat they were constantly shaken by the explosion of the bombs. The marshalling yards at Hamm and Munster were’ attacked by some 350 Fortresses of the United States Eighth Air Force. About 200 Mustangs escorted the bombers. Royal Air Force medium bombers scored a major success when they destroyed a large road bridge over the River Maas at Roermond, Holand on Saturday morning. At least three sticks of bombs struck the

'■ontre of the bridge, which collapsed The operation has eliminated one of (lie German’s most important supply routes in East Holland. Mitchells and Bostons also attacked a bridge carrying the road and railway over the river at Venlo. Bombs were seen to fall in the target area and devastation was caused in the railway yards. Fighter-bombers and fighters also attacked various targets throughout the battle area.