SPEEDED UP

Otago Daily Times, Issue 27450, 25 July 1950, Page 5

SPEEDED UP

Allied Air Attacks In Korea INDUSTRIAL TARGETS Rec. 11 p.m. TOKIO, July 24.' Heavy blows were struck at key points in the North Korean transportation system as weather permitted the United States Air Force and RAAF to speed up the air war over Korea yesterday, says General MacArthur’s communique. Targets hit included railway and highway bridges, industrial installations, vehicular transport and military supply depots in areas ranging from Pyongyang south to the battlefronts. Far East Air Force Super-Fortresses struck again at industrial targets near Pyongyang, with 130 tons of bombs. Clouds over the area prevented visual observation of the results of the attack, which was carried out by radar sighting. Super-Fortresses hit a railway and road junction at Chungju, with excellent results. Direct hits were scored on railway bridges at Puganniten, 10 miles south-west of Chongju and at Kongju. . , , The Fifth Air Force light bombers hit road targets along the highway in the Chechon area. Fighters of the Fifth Air Force flew more than 100 combat sorties ( over front lines striking vehicles, bridges and ground installations. The areas subjected to concentrated fighter strafing were centred around Taejon, Pyongtaek and other towns in the west sector and around Chungju, Punggi and Kolan in the central sector. Destruction claims were entered in pilots’ reports for two bridges north west of Chongju. Numerous vehicular targets were brought under aerial attack, including 10 tanks, 27' trucks, 22 miscellaneous vehicles, 37 railway cars and one locomotive. . Warehouses were damaged _by rocket fire and military installations in the Chungju area were strafed m low level sweeps. . RAAF Mustangs were active during the day’s operations using rockets, and machine-guns. Australian pilots damaged or destroyed eight tanks and three trucks. Damage to two bridges about 15 miles west of Yechon was also reported. Fifth Air Force troop-carrier aircraft airlifted . 186,0001 bof essential military supplies. No North Korean aircraft were encountered during the day. All ours returned without incident.