Half Hoar Hanover Blitz

Northern Advocate, 24 September 1943, Page 5

Half Hoar Hanover Blitz

(8.0. W., 1.30 p.m.) , RUGBY, Sept. 23. An R.A.F. raiding force of hundreds, including many four-engined giants, made a highly concentrated 30-minute blitz on Hanover last night. There was heavy opposition. Enemy fighters were waiting for our bombers far out and also over the target. ’ High above the bombers German planes dropped flares to help Messer - schmitts and Junkers waiting for a chance to pounce. German ground gunners played a minor role. Several German night fighters were shot down.

Other R.A-F. bombers attacked Oldenburg (west of Bremen) and Emden; while fighters attacked airfields in Germany and Holland. It is stated that 26 bombers and, one fighter failed to return.

Berlin radio says that the R.A.F. raided northern and north-west Germany las: night. Berlin was among the targets, but night-fighters and ground defences prevented the raiders from reaching their objectives. United States Eighth Air Force Fortresses, escorted by Thunderbolts, this afternoon attacked docks and shipyards at Nantes, for the second time today, and Marauders, escorted by Spitfires, attacked the airfield of Beauvais-Tille. Widespread Air Attacks

It is officially stated: “Widespread at. lacks on targets in France and Holland were made on Thursday morning by the United States Eighth Army Air Force and R.A.F. bombers and fighters Fortresses escorted by Thunderbolts bombed docks and shipyards at Nantes and Vannes-Meucon and Kerlin-Bas-tard airfields in western France.

Enemy Fighters Destroyed

Many enemy fighters were encountered in the Nantes attack, and 13 were destroyed, nine by Fortresses and four by Thunderbolts. Two more enemy fighters (were destroyed by Fortresses attacking KerlinBastard airfield. Marauders attacked an airfield at Yonches, Normandy. Morlaix airfield, Brittany, was bombed by Whirlwinds, and two attacks were made by Typhoon bombers on the Poulmic airfield, near Brest.

Airstrip Targets Bombed

Mitchells bombed airstrip targets at Rouen, and Typhoons attacked the harbour entrance at Wemeldinge and shipping off the Dutch coast. R.A.F. Bostons and Allied fighters escorted and covered bombers, and made supporting sweeps. One heavy bomber and two fighters are missing.