U.S. Bombers Blast Airfields and Factories

Manawatu Times, Volume 68, Issue 211, 6 September 1943, Page 5

U.S. Bombers Blast Airfields and Factories

LONDON, Sept. 3. The massed Allied air assault on Europe from Britain continued when United States bombers heavily attacked factories and airfields in the Paris area to-day. They were escorted by a large number of Allied fighters. Factories on the outskirts and in northwest Paris were attacked by other American Fortresses, and Marauders at tacked five airfields in Northern France. The Fortresses which attacked the factories in the Paris area met with heavy opposition. They shot down 23 enemy fighters. Other Allied aircraft made covering sweeps. Six enemy fighters were destroyed. Eight heavy bombers and two fighters are missing from the morning's operations. “The British and American Air Forces have carried out a new terror raid against Paris,” says Paris radio. “For the first time the centre of the capital was hit, particularly the districts on tho left bank of the Seine. Damage and casualties are believed to e heavy. ” Fighter Command's biggest single operation of the year was carried ous last evening when squadrons of Spitfires and Typhoons escorted U.S. Army Air Force Marauders and R.A.F. Bostons, Mitchells and Venturas to bomb targets in Northern France. The Air Ministry says that preliminary reports suggest good results, in spite of tho intense antiaircraft lire. Numerous fires were started. The main attacks were carried out by Alarauders, Mitchells and Venturas. The targets included a power-station at Mazingarbe. Bostons attacked the marshalling yards at Serquox, flying so low that they felt the blast of their own bombs. Reports so far show that at least three enemy fighters were destroyed by Spitfires, one of which is missing. SATURDAY’S TARGETS (British Official Wireless.) Received Sunday, 7 p.m. RUGBY, Sept. 4.

The main air offensive on cross Channel targets was to-day switched to marshalling yards in Northern France, three targets being bombed by Mitchells. Bostons and Venturas escorted by Spitfires. Again German fighter opposition was negligible and few squad rons reported seeing enemy fighters. The targets included Amiens and Abbeville, and hits on the targets were reported.