25 Enemy Planes Destroyed Over France

Manawatu Times, Volume 68, Issue 58, 10 March 1943, Page 5

25 Enemy Planes Destroyed Over France

Big U.S. Bsmbing Raid (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, Mar. 8. Twenty-five German fighter planes were shot down to-day during the course of the bombing raids carried out by American Flying Fortresses and other heavy bombers on targets in Northern Franco and Brittany. Swarms of Focke Wulf fighters came up to meet the bombers, but they were being escorted by large numbers of fighter planes flown by British, Dominion, American and other Allied pilots. Britain’s new improved Spitfires were among the escort machines. Many fierce dogfights took place and 25 enemy machines were shot down. Allied losses were four bombers and two fighters. The crews of the American bombers were enthusiastic in their praise of the large escort they received and one pilot said he had never seen so many fighters in the air at the same time. A communique states: Fortresses bombed successfully a target at Rennes and Liberators overcame very strong lighter opposition to bomb their objective at Rouen. The weather condi tions were very good over both targets. “Preliminary reports indicate ovei 20 enemy fighters were destroyed in persistent encounters. The bombers were escorted and covered by Allied fighters. Many combats took place in the course of which five more enemy aircraft were destroyed. Four bombers and two fighters are missing,” concludes the communique.” The Air Ministry states: “Last night, mines were laid in enemy waters. Two of our bombers are missmg.” Five enemy planes were destroyed over Brittany to-day by R.A.F. fighters. Press messages from the Channel Coast state that a strong force of R.A.F. bombers flew out over the Straits of Dover to-night some time after nightfall. The bombers started going out and for about an hour the roar of planes was heard continuously in the south-east coast districts as they flow towards the French coast. The weather was fine in the Straits with a starlit sky. It is officially stated that there has been slight enemy activity over coastal districts, but there are no reports of bombs being dropped. The New Zealander, Squadron-Leader W. L. Crawford-Compton, led one of the Spitfire squadrons which escorted the Liberators on the Rouen raid. lie shot down two Focke Wulf 19s, making his total eleven and a half. Squadron-Leader Kingaby, D. 5.0.. D.F.M., two tars, who led a Spitfire wing, said it was the stillest fight we have had for some time. The Huns Were most persistent. Nearly every time we attacked one of our boys had to break away because a Hun got on his tail.. This is the fourth United States at tack on Rouen’s important marshalling yards and junction. Rennes is the central supply depot for German naval stores ou which depend most of the Üboats operating from Lorient, Brest and Saint Nazaire. After bombing an enemy convoy oil the Frisian Islands a Lockheed Hudson piloted by a Dutch Sergeant collided in the darkness with an enemy plane but despite serious damage it based safely. The sergant said: “The aircraft must have passed right over us and struck us with the fuselage and propellers or engine.