R.A.F., American Air Raids Grow In Power

Northern Advocate, 15 May 1943, Page 3

R.A.F., American Air Raids Grow In Power

LONDON, May 14. Bomber Command planes, in very great strength, last night attacked targets in the central Ruhr and Czechosiovakia. Bombs were also dropped on Eerlin. Thirty-four planes are missing. Fighter Command Whirlwinds, Bostons and Mosquitoes intruded over a wide area of occupied territory. Some

crossed the German frontier in search of military targets. A Whirlwind bombed and damaged a minesweeper off Boulogne. The Air Ministry states that Mitchells of Bomber Command, escorted by Fighters, attacked railway yards at Boulogne today. Six enemy fighters were destroyed. One bomber and two fighters are missing. Later in the day Typhoon bombers, escorted by fighters, attacked the airfield at Abbeville end Bostons of Bomber Command attacked targets at Cherbourg Harbour. None are missing. Official sources state that more American bombers were used this afternoon than ever before. Aircraft and dispersal areas were bombed, and the raid was described by a pilot as ‘an excellent show.” Berlin radio says the Royal Air Force was over North, West and Central Germany last night. The Luftwaffe heavily raided Chelmsford. 20 Enemy Planes Destroyed Fighter Command Spitfires engaged in offensive operations over Northern France and Belgium today, shot down eight enemy fighters for the loss of one, states the Air Ministry news service. In the last 24 hours our fighters destroyed in daylight operations 20 enemy aircraft for the loss of eight. Canadian fighter pilots again distinguished themselves by shooting down four enemy aircraft, making a score of 11 in two days. One of the Canadian wings was led by an English wingcommander, who himself accounted for one of the Germans. Two Toronto pilots who had a friendly competition and whose scores were equal, each bagged another enemy aircraft. The famous Battle of Britain section, which is nearing its 1000th kill, brought the score to 998 by destroying three German fighters in a series of dogfights. Over the coast of Belgium an F.E. 190 was shot down in flames by a Fighting French pilot. Another pilot in the same sector made an attack on a Messerschmitt 109. Both aircraft collided, broke up, and went down in flames. This was the only casualty the Fighter Command suffered during the day. Big Sweep Over France The Air Ministry and headquarters of the United States Army in Europe announce: “A strong force of heavy bombers of the United States Eighth Air Force attacked an important industrial target and airfields in Northern France this afternoon. The main attack was delivered against an enemy airframe factory and repair shop at Meaulte, while airfields at Stomer were bombed at the same time. The

weather was favourable and bombing results good. R.A.F., U.S.A.A.F., Dominion and Allied fighters supported the bombers, and fighters had. many encounters with enemy aircraft, six of which were destroyed. Many enemy aircraft (were also destroyed by bombers. Three bombers and five fighters are missing.”

1500 Tons Dropped Over 1500 tons of high explosive and incendiary bombs were dropped on the industrial area of Duisburg and the inland port of Duisburg-Ruhrort. Last night the number of aircraft despatched was not much above the average of the heavy raids of the last three months, but the gradual substitution 1 of four-engined"for two-engined bombers has made the normal striking force more powerful than that which devastated 600 acres of Cologne in an hour-and-a-half. A greater concentration is now- possible, and last night’s raid was planned to take half the time of the Cologne raid. Over Northern France Six Focke-Wulf 190 s were destroyed by Spitfires during gweeps over northern France this afternoon, while Mitchell bombers, escorted by other Spitfires, bombed the marshalling yards at Boulogne. Of the machines destroyed a Norwegian squadron got two, a Canadian squadron got four, and - damaged others.