BERLIN BOMBED

Grey River Argus, 1 May 1944, Page 5

BERLIN BOMBED

BY HUGE U.S.A. FORCES 77 Planes Missing

(Rec. 7.30) RUGBY, April 29. A United States communique states: On Saturday, very strong forces of Flying Fortresses and Liberators of the Eighth U.S.A. Air Force?, successfully attacked military and industrial targets in Berlin. The fighter escort was of very great strength, comprising Lightnings, Mustangs, and Thunderbolts of the Eighth and Ninth U.S. Air Forces and R.A.F. Mustangs of the Second Tactical Air Force. They provided support for the bombers. The bombers encountered heavy cloud along the route, although most of the formations found holes in cloud over Berlin, and bombed targets visually. The enemy fighter opposition was determined.

“There were man v heavy air battles between our aircraft and those of the enemy. Our fighters destroyed aircraft on the ground and shot up twenty-one locomotives. ’ Seventy-two enemy aircraft were reported as shot down by our bombers, and sixteen were reported destroyed in aerial combat by fighters. “Sixty-three of our bombers, and fourteen of our fighters are missing. “Fierce air battles were fought just before the target was reached and again after leaving the target area. Some bomber formations reported intense running fights of one and a-half hours’ duration. Large numbers of bombers, however, did not see a single enemy fighter plane. The enemy attacks were concentrated on certain units and on stragglers. Those formations which found targets ... mostly cloud-covered bombed through the cloud.

(Rec. 9.35) LONDON, April 29. Upwards of two thousand war planes crowded in over Berlin on Saturday and drenched the city with a bomb load probably totalling two thousand tons says a Press Association aviation correspondent, who describes it as the most devastating daylight bombardment of the war. This was the 'first time one thousand heavy bombers were ever concentrated on a single target in daytime. Nearly 1000 long-range fighters screened the bombers. The Germans sent up “suicide’’’ fighter squadrons in batches of upwards of two hundred planes. The Germans also forced tnc attacking bombers and fighters to smash a way through great black clouds of bursting flak. The German fighters swept through their own flak to flash among tightly packed Fortresses and Liberators. The Americans undoubtedly won the most furious air battle of the war. Some Liberator crews reported a running fight lasting ninety minutes. Others said the Germans put up the greatest concentration of rocket flack thusfar encountered. A tail gunner described the flak as “terrific.” Fie said: “Berlin must have flak gun.s in every street, every house, and every block of flats.”

The German radio says: Attacks by strong American bomber formations against north-west and central Germany on Saturday developed to a heavy terror raid against Berlin. Heavy damage was caused with numerous fires, especially in the centre of the city and several outlying districts.

Dr. Ley. in a speech in Berlin, said: “Even if there were no houses left, and even if we had to produce our goods in the open air. we would never capitulate.’’

EARLIER RAIDS IN GERMANY.

LONDON, April 29

An all-Lancaster force made a return trip of well over 1000 miles to attack Friedrichshafen on Thursday night. Over 1000 Bomber Command aircraft were out. Heavy attacks were also made against the railway yards at Montzen and Aulnoye. Mosquitoes bombed Stuttgart, and'mines were laicl in enemy waters. In the course of these operations at least four enemy fighters were shot down. Thirty-six Royal Air Force machines are missing. RAIDS IN FRANCE. RESUMED YESTERDAY. (Rec. 12.50.) LONDON, April 30 A daylight air offensive over tne Channel started again soon after daybreak on Sunday. Allied formations crossed the Straits to Calais ini sunny weather. More ’planes followed later in< the morning. Very good results were obtanied on Saturday by United States aircraft which bombed Avorde aerodrome, 13Q miles south of Paris. Four large' double-bay hangars were hit. Bombs fell on large, barracks occupied by bomber crewißn training. Incendiaries fell on a workshop area and fragmentation bombs on dispersal areas. Allied ’planes kept up attacks across the Channel throughout Friday until dark.

(Rec. 12.42.) LONDON, April 30. Sunday’s Allied communique from Italy says: Our patrols have been active. Allied forces have repulsed several small enemy raiding parties. Medium forces of heavy bombers yesterday attacked harbour installations and other targets at Toulon. Small formations of heavy bombers attacked railways in the Drnis and Rimini areas. Medium light bombers again bombed railways, supply dumps and communication lines north of the battle areas. Medium bombers attacked well covered viaduct bridges at. Attigliano and Pontassieve. Fighter-bombers attacked targets on the Dalmatian coast, including installations at Port Gruz. Heavy bombers last night bombed the harbour installations at Genoa. The Allies flew more than two thousand sorties. Thirty enemv ’planes were sighted near the battle area during; the day. Eleven of our heavy bombers are missing. We destroyed twelve enemy ’planes..

The Exchange Telegraph’s- Anzio correspondent says: The Germans, on Friday night, for the first time included obsolete Junkers 87 divebombers in a force sent to raid the beach-head. Allied anti-aircraft defences in one of the most spectacular performances shot down a number of the raiders and broke uo the attacking formations.

FRIDAY’S RAIDS IN. FRANCE. LONDON, April 29. On Friday in France. U.S.A, and R.A.F. planes attacked railway centres and communications at many places in France, including Cambrai, Arras, Bethune, Haine St. Pierre and' Serqueux. The airfields, . coastal shipping and a number of other targets were also bombed. Medium, light and fighter-bombers all took part in these attacks. Fighters provided the escort and cover. Two enemy aircraft were destroyed in France by our fighters, one in davlight and the other in intruoer operations during the night. Four bombers and one fighter are missing. Three airfields, one 130 miles south of Paris, were attacked as well as targets in the Cherbourg and Pas de Calais areas, The airfields at

Le Bouget were also bombed by Mustangs. R.A.F. RAID AT OSLO. (Rec. 12.50.) LONDON, April 29. The Kjeller airframe factory on the outskirts of Oslo was the main target for R.A.F. Lancasters on Friday night. This was the first time this German military target had been struck. The target was clearly identified and first reports indicate the bombing was well concentrated. Mosquitoes attacked Hamburg. No aircraft is missing.