Planes Help In France

Northern Advocate, 28 June 1944, Page 3

Planes Help In France

(Rec. 1.30 p.m.) LONDON, June 27. R.A.F. fighters again shot down a number of flying' bombs today before they reached their destinations, in southern England. British, New Zealand and Dutch squadrons returned substantial scores by midday. Pilots who had a number of previous successes included a New Zealander, Flight-Lieutenant H. N, Sweetman, D.F.C., of Auckland. Thunderbolt fighters escorted skytrains to advanced landing strips in Normandy and also patrolled the battle areas without opposition. Thunderbolt and Mustang fighterbombers attacked rail and road points in the enemy’s transportation web. Two Thunderbolts are missing from these missions.

The Normandy correspondent of the Exchange fTelegraph says that Spitfires this morning with bombs and cannon, accurately attacked enemy gun positions in Baron area, between Caen and Tilly. This assistance from the air enabled our troops to move on to the river Odon without opposition from German guns. fhe army signalled its congratulations to the pilots for excellent work under flying conditions far from perfect. Other squadrons swept far behind the German lines and smashed road transport and strafed troops.

An Air Ministry communique says that under fighter cover, Halifaxe9 this afternoon, without loss, attacked military installations in northern France. The Air Ministry News Service stated that bombers saw no fighters. Flak batteries defended targets. There was seme cloud but crews were able to identify and bomb their objectives.