RECORD ALLIED AIR FLEETS HAMMER ENEMY

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23316, 27 July 1950, Page 7

RECORD ALLIED AIR FLEETS HAMMER ENEMY

(10 a.m.)

TOKYO, July 26.

Flying into blue skies, a record number of planes was thrown into the battle yesterday in close support of the grimly fighting ground forces. Along the whole length of the main front the American and Australian Tactical Air Forces, supported for the first time by single-seater naval Corsair fighters, hammered the Communists at every turn. United States Air Force bombers, fighters and R.A.A.F. fighters continued their attack on the North Korean communications system yesterday reports the air communique. Bridges, railroad yards', supply dumps and other key targets were hit in accordance with the olanned schedule designed to cut off the flow of equipment and material south to the Communist invading forces. Good flying weather was experienced in most sectors during the day and there was a complete absence of North Korean air opposition, Superfortress bombers unloaded approximately 150 tons of high explosives on selected bridges and communications targets along the heavily travelled routes in the central sector. More than 20 bridges were attacked. Preliminary surveys indicate that the railroad bridge at Chupori, five miles west of Chechon lost two spans and a highway bridge about 20 miles north of Chechon was heavily damaged. The marshalling yards at Wonju were hit and damaged. American and Australian fighters backed up the long-range interdiction programme with sustained attacks on rolling stock and ground equipment in the battle area. Mustang fighters strafed ground troops and vehicles in the Yoligdok and Taejon areas. Incomplete totals of vehicular and ground targets damaged or destroyed during the day included six tanks, 32 trucks, four railroad cars, 14 miscellaneous vehicles, four warehouses and one factory. Several other buildings and bridges were reoorted as damaged by rocket fire at Namwon and Hamchnng. Reconnaissance in the Seoul area indicated that large-scale efforts are being made bv the North Koreans to repair four bridges across the Ilan River.