HARD HITTING RAIDS

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 79, 10 February 1944, Page 2

HARD HITTING RAIDS

AIR SWEEP OVER FRANCE

OPERATIONS START BEFORE DAWN (Rec. 11.15 a.m.) Rugby, Feb. 9. Strong formations of A.A.F. and R.A.F. medium and light lighterbombers swept across the Channel in sunny weather on Wednesday morning to continue hardhitting attacks on military objectives along the northern France coast and strategically important railway yards further inland. By noon hundreds of aircraft had returned from widespread operations in north-east France and had not reported a single encounter with enemy fighters. Operations started before dawn when ground crews in southern England bombed up Typhoons and Hurricanes which flew out across the Channel before breakfast to open the assault on military objectives at Pas de Calais. Fighter-bombers, escorted by Typhoon fighters, reported many bomb bursts in the target areas. They encountered heavy, medium and light flak but reported a complete absence of enemy fighters. Flying on a third mission in 36 hours, Marauders penetrated more than 100 miles of France to batter railway yards and an engine repair shed at Tergnier,, an important rail junction and distributing centre midway between St. Quentin and Soissons. It is the deepest inland Marauders have flown since they began operating from English bases last July. Other waves of Marauders, all flying under an umbrella of R.A.F., Dominion and Allied Spitfires simultaneously scattered military objectives at Pas de Calais. In all more than 200 of these medium bombers crossed the Channel.

ENEMY CAUGHT BY SURPRISE Marauders’ crews said the attack on Tergnier caught the enemy by surprise and they reported direct Wmb hits on huge engine repair shops and freight trains in the railway yards. A long freight train was pulling out of the yards as the Marauders attacked. A bombardier said his formation of bombs ripped up the centre of the marshalling yards and blew a number of freight trains sky high.

R.A.F. Mitchell and Boston bombers went out in strength to attack targets in northern France. All returned. Among them were the Lorraine Free French Boston Squadron and Mitchells of the Royal Netherlands Naval Air- Service. Low level attacks, again without loss, were made by R.A.F. and R.A.A.F. Mosquitoes. Mitchells, Bostons and Mosquitoes were accompanied by Allied Spitfires and Typhoons which provided escort and umbrella.