TARGETS IN REICH

Manawatu Standard, Volume LXIV, Issue 198, 20 July 1944, Page 5

TARGETS IN REICH

STRONG AMERICAN BLOWS MANY FACTORIES STRUCK (N.Z. Press Association.—Copyright.) (Ree. 10.45 a.m.) RUGBY, July 19. ■United States Headquarters state: Over 1200 heavy bombers this morning attacked a variety of factories, .railway yards, and aerodromes in Southern and South. ’ Western Germany in weather that' was generally clear. Among the targets were a Messerschmitt 109 components factory at Kempten (35 miles north-east of the Swiss border), a chemical factory at Hollriegelskreuth (on the outskirts of Munich), .which makes oxygen and hydrogen, ball-bearing plants at Schweinfurt, railway yards at Cologne, Saarbrucken, and Strasbourg, Luftwaffe stations at Lachfeld, Leimpheim, and Lauphcim (all in the vicinity of Augsburg) . Strong forces of Mustangs, Thunderbolts and Lightnings escorted the Fortresses and Liberators in r the attacking divisions. It is understood that the escorting planes numbered between 500 and 750.—Official Wireless.

Another report states that 23 enemy planes were shot down and 30 were destroyed on the ground. The Americans lost 18 bombers and seven fighters. BOMBERS FROM ITALY.

About 400 Fortresses and Liberators to-day participated in bombing aircraft factories, aerodromes, and ordnance depots near Munich, reports the Associated Press’s correspondent at Allied Headquarters in Italy. Fires were observed after the raiders hit the Milbertshofen ordnance depot, west of Munich.

Tlie raiders scored scattered hits against the Allacli aircraft engine factory, seven miles north of Munich, and the adjacent aerodrome. They well covered an aircraft components factory, seven miles west of Munich.

Small formations of bombers also raided the Munich railway yards. Only a few fighters challenged the raiders. The .Voelkischcr Beobachter declares that Munich is only a memory as the result of the latest series of raids. It adds“ Munich’s central and eastern stations no longer exist. To think that barely a year ago we never dreamed that this could happen.”