U.S.A. RAID

Grey River Argus, 30 November 1943, Page 3

U.S.A. RAID

DURING GERMAN MANOEUVRES. LONDON, Nov. 28. According to Norwegians in London, large-scale German military manoeuvres were interrupted when American bombers raided the Jeiler airfield and aeroplane factory on November 18. Hl', ewitnesscs stale the raid perfectly, timed, coincided with the arrival on the airfield of strong German mechanised units. The defences were thrown into confusion, as the ail clear sounded, instead of the alarm. The Germans thought the attacking bombers were part of the manoeuvres, and it took some time before the anti-aircraft guns went into action. As the bombs began to fall, guns could be seen turning over in clouds of earth. Extensive fires broke out in the target area. Three large new hangars and a number .of smaller hangars, two workshops, the officers mess, and many vehicles were destroyed by fire. Eighteen German planes, including six new Messerschmitts were destroyed in the hangars. Several hundred aeroplane engines being overhauled in the factory were also destroyed. No enemy fighters took off from the airfield, but a few arrived from Gardenoen, fifteen miles further north. Seven were shot down by the bombers. Three-quarters of the target is estimated to have been destroyed or damaged. 'Petrol stores at the airfield exploded several■ hours after the raid, killing many Germans, causing extensive fires to flare up again. One report says that 250 Germans* were estimated to have been killed and 40 injured. Many bodies including that of the German chief engineer Leutke. could be seen on the airfield after the petrol dump had blown up. There were only three Norwegian casualties. The Germans had sent away all conscripted Norwegian workers, in view ’of the military manoeuvres.