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R.A.F. Breaches Ruhr Dams, Key Factors In Nazi War Potential

(Received 1.30 p.m.) LONDON, May 17. MILLIONS OF TONS OF WATER ARE SWIRLING DOWN m THE RUHR VALLEYS, SWEEPING AWAY BRIDGES AND FLOODING VITAL AREAS AFTER THE R.A.F/S ATTACK AGAINST MOHNE AND EDER DAMS WHICH THE “DAILY TELEGRAPH” DESCRIBES AS THE MOST DEVASTATING BLOW OF THE WAR AGAINST GERMAN INDUSTRY. The dams impounded 336,000,000 tons of water, the great part of which is raging through one of the world’s most densely industrialised areas, forming the heart of the German war machine. The effect of this shattering blow may be evident throughout the war—indeed for years thereafter. The dams controlled rivers which are normally liable to flood wide areas, and supplied water for great industrial and human concentrations which are likely to face an acute water shortage. They also controlled the* level of tre vital canal system, which may now be entirely disrupted. This canal system links West Germany with the Ruhr and North Germany with Berlin and the Baltic. It has relieved the railway and road transport systems of an enormous tonnage of heavy material.

Journalist Gave Tip The importance the Germans attached to the dams is shown, by the extreme concentration of defences encountered. Mr. Guy Bettany, formerly Reuter’s correspondent in Berlin, says: "A famous German-Jewish medical specialist, exiled from Germany, pointed out to me that the Mohne and Eder dams are the key factors in the war potentiality and asked why they were not bombed. I was so impressed that several months ago r passed cn the information to the Air Ministry, and received a letter of thanks, saying the suggestion would be carefully considered.” Most Sensational Ever Reuter’s aeronautical correspondent says mines were used against the massive concrete dams because they would be swirled against the sluice-gates. Rarely has such a terrific explosive charge been dropped. The use of mines is evidence of the ingenuits of those who planned the attack. Every participant was selected for his ability and previous experience i nmine dropping. “No more sensational feat has been accomplished in this or any other war than the destruction of Germany’s two biggest dams,” says the “Daily Mail” editorially. “The loss of eight Lancasters with the crews is a grievous one, but small indeed compared with the expenditure of time, life and energy required to secure compaarble results by any other means. This is the air war, Which the Germans held for so long as a threat over the world. This is the mighty weapon they unleashed against undefended cities and which is now beating on their own heads.”

enemy-Occupied territory in daylight today. The largest attacks were made against harbour installations at Lorient an dthe adjacent U-boat base at Keroman, while the port and docks of Bordeaux were bombed effectively. The weather was favourable and crews report very good bombing results on the respective targets. Enemy opposition varied. Some formations were met by large numbers of enemy fighters, iwhile other had no encounters. R.A.F., Dominion and Allied fighters, in supporting operations, dsetroyed two enemy fighters without loss. United States Thunderbolts carried out an offensive sweep over Cherbourg Peninsula late this afternoon. Four heavy bombers and 10 medium bombers are missing.

This afternoon Typhoon bombers, with an escort of Typhoon fighters, made a successful attack on an enemy airfield at Coxy de Furnes, in Belgium. Bombs fell on runways and buildings. There was no enemy opposition apart from anti-aircraft fire. All aircraft returned safely. Down 7 Enemy Fighters

Seven enemy fighters were destroyed by Royal Air. Force fighters during offensive operations today. Covering an attack on Caen airfield by Ventura bombers, the Spitfire wing of Fighter Command, which, at the weekend increased its sector’s score to over 1000 enemy aircraft destroyed, added a further five to this total, losing only one aircraft in the engagement. In another operation Spitfires destroyed one Focke-Wulf 190. Squad-ron-Leader Charles, a Canadian, who shared with another pilot his sector’s 1000th kill, got one of the seven. Fighter pilots on their retui’n said the bombers did considerate damage to Caen airfield. Hits, were seen on buildings and aircraft nearby ' was burning. This afternoon Beaufighters of Coastal Command, escorted by fighters, attacked an enemy convoy northbound on the Dutch coast. Two merchant ships were hit with torpedoes, and at least three of the escort vessels were left on fire. None of our aircraft is missing.

“The Express," in a leader, says Germany has dispersed and leap-frogged some of her industries beyond present effective bombing range, but the Ruhr dams are targets she cannot move; neither are the Ruhr coal and ore mines, or the giant factories of Essen and the marshalling yards and wharves of Duisburg. These are targets Germany is now defending with 3000 guns and 'close on 1,000,000 trained men. Breached Over Full Length

The Air Ministry communique stales: “In the early hours of this morning a force of Lancaster bombers, led by Wing-Commander G. P Gibson, D. 5.0., D.F.C., attacked with mines, the dams at the Mohne and Scrpe reservoirs. These control twothirds of the water storage capacity ol the Ruhr basin.

The War Labour Board statement charged Mr. Lewis with being solely responsible for the stalemate in the coal contract negotiations. Mr. Lewis challenged the sovereignty of the United States. The issue now confronting the nation is whether he is above or beyond the laws applying to all other citizens. The coal controversy, like all wage disputes, came under the jurisdiction of the War Labour Board by Presidential order. It is officially announced that U.S. Thunderbolts in two sweeps over occupied territory today destroyed two enemy aircraft and damaged several others at a cost of one fighter missing.

Reconnaissance later established that the Mohne dam had been breached over its length with great determination and coolness in the face of fierce resistance. Eight Lancasters are missing. “Photographic reconnaissance late this morning showed that several bridges were washed aw'ay in the Upper Ruhr and floods are rising in the Dortmund area. The Mohne joins the Ruhr in the industrial area near Soest in Westphalia. It is the biggest source of water supply for industrial and domestic purposes in the Ruhr. It also supplies many large factories with electricity. The Eder dam is near Henfurth, two miles south of Waldeck, and is used to regulate the water level of The River Weser. It i sthe largest reservoir in Germany Both Soest and Hemfurth are near the upper reaches of the Ruhr.” Extraordinary Hazard The breach made by Lancaster's in German dams was mentioned by the Air Secretary (Sir Archibald Sinclair) tions in London today. He said: “The at. Norwegian National Day celebraoperation was one of extraordinary difficulty and hazard. Eight Lancasters were lost with their previous crews, but Wing-Commander Gioson. who was in command of the aircraftf engaged in the operation, pressed home the attack against strong defences and regardless of danger.” It was later learned that WingCommander Gibson returned safely. After partial reconnaissance the Ruhr valley and district near Eder Dam hsows the floods caused by the Lancasters' attacks on the three dams are spreading fast and the waters are sweeping down the Ruhr Valley. Railway and road bridges have been broken down, hydro-electric power stations destroyed or damaged, and a railway marshalling yard is under water. Floods from the breached Eder Dam are already as great as the floods in the Ruhr Valley, but the country here is flatter andv water is likely to spread over a greater area. Air Chief Marshal Sir Arthur Harris, Commander-in-Chief of Bomber Command, sent a message to the officer in command of the bomber group to which the Lancasters were N attached. He said: “Please convey to all concerned my warmest congratulations in the brilliantly successful execution of last night’s operations. To the air crews I would say their thoroughness in training and their skill and determination in pressing home the attacks will forever be an inspiration to the Royal Air Force. In this memorable operation they won a major victory in the battle of the Ruhr, the effects of which will last until the Roche is swept in the flood of final disasters.” “The Fighter Command carried out the Bomber Command attacked targets in the Ruhr, the Rhineland and Berlin. Mines were laid in enemy waters. The Fighter Command carried out offensive intruder operations. Nine bombers and one fighter are missing.” Many Daylight Sweeps

It is officially announced that large formations of Eighth Air Force bombet? made heavy attacks on target? in

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Permanent link to this item

https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/NA19430518.2.30

Bibliographic details

Northern Advocate, 18 May 1943, Page 3

Word Count
1,420

R.A.F. Breaches Ruhr Dams, Key Factors In Nazi War Potential Northern Advocate, 18 May 1943, Page 3

R.A.F. Breaches Ruhr Dams, Key Factors In Nazi War Potential Northern Advocate, 18 May 1943, Page 3