AIR OFFENSIVE

Grey River Argus, 18 May 1943, Page 5

AIR OFFENSIVE

U.S. RAID PLANS

Heavier Blows Prepared

KEEP GERMANS IN SHELTERS EVERY HOUR.

'Aust. &. N.Z. Cable Assn.l

(Rec. 8.30.) NEW YORK. May 16. British and American military leaders hope soon to keep the Germans in bomb-shelters every hour of the da-y and night said Major-General Ralph Royce, commander of the First Air Force. “Germany will feel this conflict to such an extent that it will forever more hesitate to start another war. The United States is preparing heavier blows in all war theatres” Major-General Royce stated that highclimbing Zeros are no match for Lightnings in high altitude combat. He revealed that Lightnings in a battle over Tulagi on April 7, drove eleven Zeros to over thirty-five thousand feet, and when the Zeros stalled the Lightnings destroyed them, and drove the remaining four to twenty-five thousand feet where Navy Wildcats wiped them out. FURTHER RAID ON GERMANY. (Rec. 11.20.) LONDON, May 17. The Berlin radio says that t-m R.A.F, last night made nuisance raids on north, central, and west Germany. The population suffered some casualties. “Battle of PREPARATION FOR FINAL ASSAULT. LONDON, May 16. The unprecedented activity of the Allied air forces operating from Britain and elsewhere last week is no longer regarded in London as merely strategical bombing, but as the Battle of Germany itself. Every sortie, whether by big bombers or singleseater fighters, has a single objective. The enemy’s whole internal structure is being methodically wrecked, in preparation for the final concerted assault from land, sea and air. Recent shattering blows against German communications—the cutting of the main military arteries—can be expected to become more intensive. The Berlin radio says: Our fighter pilots and crews are living beside their machines, ready to take off day oi’ night. Our ack-ack crews are also hard pressed. They must ever be on the alert for surprises, especially from powerful four-engined bombers which do not.hesitate to attack our batteries, even at day time. Every man must be now at his post to meet in hard, heavy engagements any enemy onslaught against Europe.

OCCUPIED TERRITORIES RAIDED. RUGBY, May 16. The daylight air offensive on enemy occupied territories in Europe proceeds. Big formations swept over the Straits of Dover to-day. Early 7 this morning, a strong force roared over Folkestone, and for several minutes were flying in the direction of Northern France. Later there was further activity to the east, high-fly-ing aircraft leaving long vapour trails, which extended for - miles m unbroken lines, some left by outgoing formations, and other by returning planes. The Air Ministry states: “In the course of offensive operations over Northern France to-day Mitchells and Venturas of the Bomber Command attacked enemy airfields at Caen and Morlaix. Two enemy aircraft were destroyed, by 7 our fighters. Typhoons of the Fighter Command boipbed railway, yards at Aix. Three fighters attacked railway targets and an enemy supply vessel off the coast. One of our fighters is missing.”

ENEMY TANKERS SUNK. LONDON, May 16. On Saturday night, Fighter Command fighter-bombers attacked railway and other targets in France, the Low Countries, and western Germany. Mosquito bombers attacked targets in Berlin. Fighter Command aircraft also attacked enemy ships off the French coast, hitting a supply ship. Coastal Command Hampdens operating off the Norwegian coast sank an enemy tanker with bombs and another with a torpedo. FIGHTER COMMAND’S WIDESPREAD ACTIVITY. RUGBY, May 16. In one of their busiest nights for some time, Fighter Command Intruders and other long-range aircraft probed deep into enemy territory last night. Some penetrated as far as Berlin itself.

Mosquitoes, Typhoons, Beaufighters, Whirlwinds and Bostons took part and the targets included trains, barges, lorries, and airfields in France, Belgium, Holland and Germany; also a convey off the French coast near Cape Harfleur. A hit was scored on a 2500-ton tanker by a Whirlwind, whose pilot saw a sheet of flame rise 100 feet and heard a terrific explosion. He claimed the tanker as “seriously damaged.” A Mosquito pilot who attacked a factory near Karlsruhe had one engine disabled and returned to Britain on the other. “It was a remarkable show for the aircraft,” he said, “and I am gateful to th e men and women who built it so sturdily.”

At Leewen two barges in a convoy were damaged, and another pilot saw hits on three of six near Dunkirk. A locomotive north of Hourout was left in a mass of flames, and two Canadian pilots damaged at least four trains. A barge was by another Canadian, and two electric trains were stopped at Blois by an Australian in a Mosquito. He raked both with cannon fire and left them burning. He next set a road transport vehicle on fire. Another Mosquito pilot attacked four trains. Typhoon bombers attasked aii> field buildings, rail sidings, huts, and barges, one pilot destroying three barges out of a string of seven. No British planes were lost in last night’s widespread R.A.F. raids on Berlin and the targets in France, Belgium, Holland, and Germany. It is officially announced that United- States Thunderbolts, in two sweeps over occupied territory to-, day, destroyed two enemy aircraft and damaged several others at the cost of one fighter missing.