Mustangs Bomb, Strafe Enemy By Moonlight

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23314, 25 July 1950, Page 5

Mustangs Bomb, Strafe Enemy By Moonlight

(10 a.m.) TOKYO, July 25. By the light of a half moon American Mustangs last night were put on close army support strikes They were out over enemy territory bombing, strafing, shooting rockets and harassing the Communist forces In every way they know. The Invaders have been moving up troops and supplies at night and the air force is determined to put a stop to

“We aim to give them no rest,” said Captain Howard Smith who last night flew the first night ground mission of this war.

American fighters and bombers yesterday hit military targets in the southwest corner of Korea where It was reported the Communist forces were moving without opposition from the American troops. This area is garrisoned by South Koreans.

Mustangs and Shooting Star jet fighters destroyed 10 Communist trucks and six jeep-type vehicles outside the town of Kwangju. 90 miles south-west of Taejon.

The weather yesterday was suitable for low-level attacks and Allied pilots bagged four tanks and armoured vehicles in the main battle areas around Yongdong and Hamchang.

The American Far East Air Force has established an'operating base near the Eiehth Army headquarters in Korea.

“We are moving the air force fighting headquarters to Korea to speed up the war,” said an air force spokesman. Transport Heavily Hit

Heavy blows were struck at key points in the North Korean transportation system as the weather permitted the United States Air Force and R.A.F. to speed up the air war over Korea yesterday, says General MacArthur’s communique.

The targets hit included railway and highway bridges, industrial installations, vehicular transport and military supply depots in areas ranging from Pyongyang south to the battlefronts. The Far East Air Force Superfortresses struck again at industrial targets near Pyongyang with 130 tons of bombs. Clouds over the area prevented visual observation of the results of the attack which was carried out by radar sighting. Superfortresses hit a railway and road junction at Chungju with excellent results.

Direct hits were scored on railway bridges at Puganhiten, 10 miles south.west of Chongju and at Kongju. Fifth Air Force light bombers hit road targets along a highway in Chechon area. Fighters of the Fifth Air Force flew more than 100 combat sorties over the front lines, striking vehicles, bridges and ground installations. Fighters Strafe Targets The areas subjected to concentrated fighter strafing were centred around Taejon, Pyongtaek and other towns in the west sector and around Chungju, Punggi and Kolan in the central sector. Destruction claims were entered in the pilots’ reports for two bridges northwest of Chongju. Numerous vehicular targets were brought under aerial attack, including 10 tanks, 27 trucks, 22 miscellaneous vehicles, 37 railway cars and one locomotive. Warehouses were damaged by rocket fire and military installations in the Chungju area were strafed in lowlevel sweeps. R.A.A.F. Mustangs were active during the day’s operations. Using rockets and machine-guns, the Australian pilots damaged or destroyed eight tanks and three trucks. Damage to two bridges about 15 miles west of Yechon was also reported. Fifth Air Force troop-carrier aircraft airlifted 186,0001 b. of essential military supplies. No North Korean aircraft were encountered during the day. All ours returned without incident.