R.A.F. OPERATIONS

Grey River Argus, 10 June 1943, Page 8

R.A.F. OPERATIONS

Review for Last Month June 4. In a’ review of R.A.F. operations in May, the Air Ministry said: May was outstanding in that the Mohne and Eder dams were- breached, the first discharge of 2000 tons of bombs on a German target was made, and a new record of intensive bombing was set up. In seven nights, May 23/29, over 10 000 tons were dropped in the Ruhr area'. The total dropped on Germany in the last, three months was brought to 30,000 tons, and led to propagandists in Germany starting arguments in favour of a bombing truce with parallel threats of reprisals. The R.A.F. in May lost three hundred and sixteen aircraft over Europe. It lost none over Britain. Losses announced in the Middle East Command were six against 40 of the Axis of which Malta-based planes destroyed 13. Allied headquarters in North Africa announced the destruction of 337 planes in May for the loss of 108 Allied aircraft. In India 16 enemy planes were destroyed for th 1 loss of 14.

The elimination of the Axis forces in North Africa leading to the opening of sustained strategic bombing oi the enemy! in Europe from the- south as well as the west, in addition to that coming from Russia in the east, is the subject of an opening comment in the review, and these other features - of aerial activity are also noted: German losses on tip and run .raids although there was (no deep penetration by these- raiders, the success against U-boats, and the sustained effort of Intruders and lighter bombers over occupied territory. Berlin was attacked on six nights oy ■small forces, and day) bombing of German targets increased, one being made inside Germany, and sixteen on occupied territory. Intruder operations or offensive patrols were carried out on 23 mgnts. Enemy communications were seriously dislocated in Bomber Command’s heavy raids. The breaching of the Mohne and Eder Dams contributed substantially/ to the damage. Photographs reveal the necessity for much heavy reconstruction of which the largest single item is the Herdecke Viaduct. The Ruhr railways are now so overburdened that evacuees are being taken by water wherever possible.

The Home Commands were all concerned with attacks on enemy shipping and anti-U-boat warfare. Many hundreds of mines were laid by bombers and incomplete reports show that two mine sweepers, a motor-ves-sel and six steamers were sunk, while the Gneisenau, which struck a mine at the end of April was beached and is now lying on its side. Bombers flew anti-submarine patrols on 26 days. Attacks on enemy shipping were made on eight days and ten nights. Fleet Air .Arm Albacores in' May attacked over 70 vessels of all types R.A.F. escorts were flown for convoys daily. The total number of German raiders over Britain in May did not reach half the number of bombers sent out in more than one of Bomber Command’s attacks. In the Mediterranean .theatre in the six weeks ending May 2 nearly 27,000 sorties were flown by squadrons other than the desert air force. In offensive operations over Europe from home bases 82 enemy aircraft ’ were destroyed. Over Britain 50 enemy aircraft were destroyed,' making a total of 132 accounted for by home-based aircraft. Attacked by eight JU 88’s over Hie Bay of Biscay a Royal Australian Air Force Sunderland scored hits on all eight enemy planes, shooting down three and probably a fourth. The Sunderland was set on fire in this unprecedented encounter, but with one member of the crew dead and four, including himself, injured the Sunderland’s captain, Flight Lieutenant Colin Walker, of Brisbane, brought the plane- back nearly 300 miles over the sea and landed in the west of England at midnight on June 2. Walker said: Three enemy nlanes attacked from either side of the Sunderland and two on the. flying boat’s tail. The first shells from the port attackers set fire to our nort outer engine-. We extinguished it, but another shell broke the compass in front of me and set the alcohol ablaze. The alcohol ran over thei bridge set fire to my trousers, ond my first pilot’s clothing was also set on fire, but we ouelled the flames with a fire extinguisher. Tne Junkers made about 20 separate attacks. Our midship gunner shot down two of the attackers. The fighters’ shells seemed to be spattering all over the place and shrapnel wounded our navigator The lighters’ lire damaged the rear turret’s hydraulic system and peppered the rudder elevator. A shell hit the galleryj-gunner, who died 20 minutes later. The tail-gunner, who had recovered consciousness from a previous shock, in conjunction with the midship-gunners, bagged a third victim. The five remaining fighters continued to attack the Sunderland's nose, and another Junkers was set on fire. He' scored hits on all of them during the action.”