SUSTAINED BLOWS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 25734, 4 January 1945, Page 5

SUSTAINED BLOWS

ALLIED AIR OFFENSIVE

TWELFTH SUCCESSIVE DAY (Rcc. 11 p.m.) LONDON, Jan. 3. British and American heavy bombers were out over Germany to-day for the twelfth consecutive day, following raids by over 1000 R.A.F. planes last night. To-day's objectives have not yet been announced. Bomber Command last night switched its attacks from tactical to strategic targets. A strong force of Lancasters and Halifaxes went to Nurcmburg, where important armament factories tire situated, while another bombed the I. G. Farben chemical works, the largest in the world, at Mannheim. A third force bombed targets in Berlin.

In weather described as “ not overgood,” the Allied air forces yesterday flew 3000 sorties, again smashing at German communication centres, road and railway junctions. They attacked German armour and motor transport in the Bastogne and Saint Vith sectors, knocking out 62 tanks and damaging 34. They also damaged 330 motor transports and knocked out 27 gun positions with little interference from the LuftwalTc. One Mustang squadron ran into five Messerschmitt 109's and without loss shot down all five. Over 1000 Fortresses and Liberators yesterday attacked three marshalling yards, five road and railway junctions, and six bridges, as well as troop concentrations. states United States headquarters. The bombers were escorted by over 650 Mustangs and Thunderbolts.

The railway yards attacked were at Gerolslein, East Prum. Badreunach, Sooth Bingen. ' and Ehrange, near Trier. The five communications targets were located in the area east of the German bulge, and were at Prum, Kyllburg, Kdaun. Bitburg, and Mayen.

Most of the bridges were in the Coblenz area. Troops and tanks were attacked north-west of Saarlautern, within 10 miles of the front line.