Essen Raid Was Most Devastating, Heaviest Ever

Northern Advocate, 8 March 1943, Page 3

Essen Raid Was Most Devastating, Heaviest Ever

LONDON, March 6. Over 150 bombs of 40001 bs. calibre, as well as a heavy tonnage of other high explosives and thousands of incendiaries, were dropped on Essen, home of the Krupps armament works, within 40 minutes in a heavy concentrated attack last night, which cost the R.A.F. 14 bombers. Half-way through the raid there was a violent explosion, which left a huge orange cloud hanging in the sky for some minutes. Dense clouds of smoke rose to a height estimated at 15.000 feel.

Returning airmen could still see fires from the Dutch coast.

Essen air raid is described in the “Sunday Express" as the heaviest and most devastating in history. Three Tons Every Four Seconds

It is estimated that three tons of high explosives and incendiaries crashed down every four seconds, which weight of attack no town has previously suffered. What it meant in casualties is measurable from the fact that the Germans now admit that the latest raid on Berlin, when the weight of bombs was less than that dropped on Essen, caused 486 deaths and 377 seriously injured. A reporter who visited a Lancaster bomber base declares that veteran air crews agree that the raid was the greatest ever. A station commander said: “I have never seen crews come back looking so cheerful." The commander of a Lancaster squadron said that losses were incredibly small for the results achieved.

Raid On Lorient It is reported that a large number of Flying Fortresses this afternoon heavily raided Lorient. They hit a railway bridge leading to the city and left a naval power-house ablaze. Liberators, escorted by R.A.F. and Allied fighters, heavily bombed Brest docks.

Three bombers and two fighters are missing from the two raids.

Two enemy aircraft were shot down by British fighters into the English Channel on Saturday afternoon, it is officially stated.