Swarms Over France

Northern Advocate, 24 April 1944, Page 3

Swarms Over France

Greatest 'Day Yet For Air Hammering

(Hoc. 1 p.m.) LONDON, April 23. LTUNDREDS OF LIGHT BOMBERS AND FIGHTER BOMBERS CARRIED ON A NON-STOP AIR OFFENSIVE AGAINST MILITARY OBJECTIVES IN NORTHERN FRANCE TO BAY IN SUCH NUftIBERS THAT, EVEN IN THE GREATEST DAYS OF THE BATTLE FOR BRITAIN THERE WAS NOTHING LIKE IT.

Simultaneously, fresh blows were struck from the south when an air fleet, estimated at from 500 to 750 heavy bombers attacked the Wienerneustadt area. Berlin radio also re - ported formations of Allied planes over Hungary. Three hundred Marauders and Havocs opened up the day's offensive, attacking military objectives on the French coast, after which Bostons and Mitchells streamed out to be followed by 500 Lightnings, Thunderbolts and Mustangs. Spitfire fighter-bombers swarmed out late in the afternoon and Marauders, in their second operation, attacked the rail centre of Namur in the evening. The Press Association’s aviation correspondent says the number of planes flying across the Straits of Dover all day long arc believed to exceed all previous figures. There was an unending procession all afternoon, with the sky never empty of planes. The poverty of the Luftwaffe's opposition is indicated by the fact that the only fighters which saw action were members of an Australian squadron who dived on a German E-boat in the Seine. These pilots, with R.A.F. Spitfires, were detailed to provide a tighter umbrella for American Marauders, but, after finding it impossible to contact the enemy in the air, they sought out their own targets in the Seine Estuary. Viaduct Breached One of the principal attacks today was directed against an important rail- ' way viaduct near Le Havre. A Canadian squadron left a gap in the centre of the viaduct. Saturday, which was the busiest day of a week in which British and American air forces established new records almost daily,-saw a large-scale American daylight attack against Elamm ana the R.A.F.’s 1000 plane assault on Dusseldorf and Brunswick.

“The*-Times” diplomatic correspondent says German propaganda is seeking by every distortion to represent that the Allied air offensive is being directed against French lives and property, and is shamelessly exploiting sorrow and suffering for German ends. The correspondent points out that the

most precise precautions are taken to ensure that only indubitable military targets are bombed and inhabitants have been urgently warned to leave danger zones.

The suburbs of Paris, Rouen ana otner towns were severely damaged in recent raids, but there are reasons to suppose the French generally thoroughly understand the necessity for the offensive. Therefore, the Germans are trying any and every means to excise their feelings against the Allies. Tlie pi esent raids on France are merely the prelude to a gigantic Allied hammering ot French towns, said the Vichv Minister for Propaganda (Henriot), broadcasting. He added that no corner of France was now safe from Allied bomcmsquadrons.

Paris radio reports that fires are still burning in Paris after two Allied ’-aids.