Heavy Daylight Bomb Attacks On Germany, France

Northern Advocate, 21 December 1942, Page 3

Heavy Daylight Bomb Attacks On Germany, France

(8.0. W., 1 p.nu RUGBY. Dec'. 20

Nearly 300 aircraft of the Fighter Command co-operated with a large force of United States Army Air Force Liberators and Fortresses today, v/hen, for the first time in eight days, the weather permitted resumption of largescale air operations in Occupied France.

The bombers’ target was Romilly Sur Seine, 80 miles south-east of Paris and 180 miles from the French coast. The fighters’ role was to support the bombers, providing cover for part of the way in towards the target and out again, while others carried out sweeps.

With the British squadrons flew formations of Canadian. Australian, Polish. Fighting French, Belgian and Czech air forces and American fighters. For over two hours they were sweeping Northern France from Boulogne to Le Havre and 60 miles inland. Many squadrons returned without seeing any enemy aircraft. Others reported sighting some which made no attempt to interfere with operations. .Six bombers are missing.

The Air Ministry states that in daylight today Mosquito bombers attacked a railway, industrial targets and an airfield in North-west Germany. Fighters attacked railway and canal targets in Holland. One Mosquito is missing. Two Coastal Command aircraft are missing from patrol. Three of Four Destroyed It is officially stated that there was slight enemy activity by four enemy fighters over the south-east coast of England today, but no bombs were dropped. One enemy aircraft was destroyed.

One of these fighters was destroyed over the sea. Later another enemy fighter was shot down into the Channel by our fighters and a third fighter was destroyed by anti-aircraft fire.