Bombers Found Enemy

Northern Advocate, 28 June 1944, Page 3

Bombers Found Enemy

(Rec. 1.30 p.m.) ALGIERS. June 27.

Italian-based American Fortresses and Liberators today bombed Budapest area, also railway yards at Brod, Yugoslavia. A number of German fighters were shot down. Pilots reported that both targets were well covered by bombs.

A communique issued by the Eastern Command of the United States air force, in Moscow, says that heavy bombers, operating from Russian bases, attacked a German-operated synthetic oil plant at Drohobyc, Poland, about 75 miles west of the Russo-Germau front.

Escorting fighters included Red Air Force Yaks, aiso Mustangs. The weather was excellent and good bombing results were obtained. Strong forces of heavy bombers yesterday attacked oil installations and an aircraft factory in Vienna area. Tactical planes struck against roads, railways, bridges and motor transport in northern Italy, also west of the battle area.

Fighter-bombers attacked shipping along the west coast of Italy and the Adriatic, also other objectives in Yugoslavia.

Our bombers last night attacked Aquilla oil refinery at Trieste. At least 55 enemy planes were destroyed in these operations. Thirty-six of our heavy bombers and eight other planes afte missing. The Mediterranean air force flew approximately 2000 sorties. Halifaxes, without loss, attacked military installations in Northern France this afternoon. N.Z. Pilots Over France Pilots of the New Zealand Mosquito squadron flew through the dirtiest weather last night to attack German troop concentrations and road junctions south of Caen. Flight-Lieutenant W. J. Runciman, of Mount Roskill, Auckland, whose experience is typical, said it was blind flying most of the way. His plane in half a minute rose from 2000 to 5000 feet. Squadron-Leader F. J. Lucas, of Tuapeka Mouth, who was making his 74th sortie, was about to bomb when he flew into an up-draught of cloud. SquadronLeader Lucas put the nose of the plane down and tried to hold height, but climbed at the rate of 1000 feet a minute.

Six Beaufighters heavily pounded, near the Hook of Holland late last night, a formation of E-boats, which sent up a great concentration of flak. The pilots reported that bombs scored direct hits on two vessels. causing large red glows, and probably hit a third. All Ihe Beaufighetrs returned. An Air Ministry communique says that Bomber Command Mosquitoes last night attacked objectives in Gottingen, and laid mines in enemy waters. One bomber is missing.