1600-TON ASSAULT

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 21605, 6 January 1945, Page 3

1600-TON ASSAULT

BRITISH BOMBERS GERMANS Oil! GIRONDE OPTO 10.000 HOLDING OUT ( H a.m.l RUGBY. Jan. 5. More than ffiOO tons of bomb? were dropped early on Friday morning by Time 350 Royal Air Force Lancasters tiV German troops, artillery strongpoints and supplies at the "month die Gironde River in the dc-feinted area ot Royan, between 50 and (JO miles north-west, of Bordeaux, Hairs .he Air Ministry. The attack was made in two waves, he heavier assault having been mackfirst, Both forces found no clouds obstructing their view, although there was a little ground haze. “Mrse-”" bombers controlled each attack. Tlie enemy had light ancl heavy “link” defences in and around (he town and lie guns opened up at both waves of Lancasters. An oil fire was started during the first attack, and during 'ho second a large, violent explosion was heard. Three aircraft are missing from this operation and front last night’s raid on Berlin. All French civilians have been evacuated from Royan and between 8000 and 10,000 German troops are holding out there. They arc surrounded by French Forces of the interior. but are making frequent raids into tlie countryside. In a recent sortie they rustled 300 head of cattle, though at a cost of 800 casualties. Royan is one of the main points of German resistance on the west coast of France and. while the enemy bold this area at the mouth of the Gironde, they deny the use of the port of Bordeaux to the Allies.