3000 TONS OF BOMBS

Southland Times, Issue 24759, 2 June 1942, Page 5

3000 TONS OF BOMBS

GREAT RAID ON COLOGNE (8.0.W.) RUGBY, May 31. On Sunday morning as fighters and light bombers set out once more on the constant daylight sweeps Cologne was still burning after the terrific raid on Saturday night. The smoke of the great fires in the city was visible from the Dutch coast, 140 miles away. Above Cologne the columns of smoke were 15,000 feet high. During the attack the Germans in desperation lighted bonfires away from the city in an effort to lure the Royal Air Force bombers away from the targets. It was a vain attempt, for they looked like pin

pricks compared with the great masses of flame which rose following the explosion of the British bombs. In previous raids the Royal Air Force has used upwards of 300 machines, while it is estimated that Germany used as many as 500 planes for the heaviest raids against Britain. It is estimated that 3000 tons of bombs were dropped during the night. Each bomber took off at exactly regulated intervals, each with a bombload appropriate to its type and to the part it was playing in the attack. To saturate with bombs one of the most heavily defended areas in Germany the attack was planned to take not more than 90 minutes, with bombers coming on at the rate of one every six seconds, the object being to distract the gun and searchlight crews and prevent them from concentrating on any single plane for any length of time. The weather was an important aspect. Meteorologists early in the evening brought in satisfactory reports and armourers worked as never before as the planes were prepared. Bomb loads reached astronomical figures. There was keen competition between the squadrons and between the stations to see which would put out the greatest number of planes. SENIOR OFFICERS IN PLANES Senior officers decided to fly with the crews under their command to see for themselves the effect of this first four-figure attack against Germany. Considering the types of planes used it is estimated that practically 3000 tons of bombs were dropped, .which, is easily the biggest load released in one night during this war. The highest tonnage the Luftwaffe released in Britain was 500 tons over Coventry. For the first time all the Royal Air Force commands were concerned in one night’s operations, including the Army Co-operation Command, which had previously been reported to have been in action from Britain. This command is equipped with Blenheims and Tomahawks.

There has never been such a collection of different types of planes engaged together. At least 13 types were involved of which the “heavies” consisted of four-engined Lancasters, Stirlings and Halifaxes, with twin-engined Havocs, Hurricanes, Beaufighters and Tomahawks for other purposes. Five and a-half tons was the average bomb load, with the mixed types carrying an average of just under two tons in each machine. Air experts in London consider that the British losses of 44 planes from the huge numbers of planes used is highly satisfactory. Ten per cent, is generally regarded as a high mark for losses. Four German planes were shot down, three over Cologne and one over Holland. Britain was thrilled when it heard the story that 1000 raiding bombers had crossed the Channel and it was again thrilled when it heard Mr Churchill’s message, saying: “This is a herald of I what Germany will receive from now i onwards.” Crowds all along the south [ coast heard and watched almost throughout the night masses of planes passing over. One correspondent describes it as an unforgettable experience. The roar of the engines was like a gigantic waterfall. FEAT OF ORGANIZATION Colossal organization is needed to maintain an average offensive of 1000 bombers a night. It is impossible because of bad weather to send a bombing force every night. Therefore, in order to maintain the average of 1000 bombers a night it would be necessary frequently to send over at least 3000 planes. For this force, assuming that two squadrons operated from one aerodrome, more than 120 aerodromes would be needed, while the crews would total about 18,000 men and the ground staff needed to handb the force would be about 400,000 men. Cologne’s defences are believed to include 120 searchlights, in addition to many powerful anti-aircraft batteries. Air-Marshal A. T. Harris, Coipman-der-in-Chief of the Bomber Command, said to every station commander before his telephone message released the great armada: “You have an opportunity to strike a blow at the enemy which will resound not only throughout Germany, but throughout the world.” The Times in a leading article says: “Ever since the Germans loosed war upon the world they have boasted of the havoc wrought by the Luftwaffe and the terror it inspired. They gloated over Warsaw, Rotterdam and Belgrade and Hitler threatened that English cities would be wiped out if the British continued to stand up to him. Hitler did his best to cany out his threat through a long series of terror raids and hardly a city in Britain does not bear the mark of his savagery. Now the striking power is passing from the Luftwaffe to the Royal Air Force and Germany is beginning to realize the folly she committed in entrusting her destiny to Hitler and his comrades in crime.” GERMAN ACCUSATIONS A German communique states: “British bombers made a terror raid on the centre of Cologne city and high explosive and incendiary bombs caused great damage, particularly' to residential quarters, also several public buildings, including three churches and two hospitals. The attack was directed exclusively against civilians. Thirty-seven raiders were shot down.” Berlin radio commenting on the raid said: “German retaliation will follow and the British public will have Mr Churchill t-> thank for it.” „ ‘‘We are not gloating over Cologne,” says a British Broadcasting Corporation European broadcast. “We are even sorry for the women and children who may have suffered, but when we remember Warsaw, Rotterdam, Coventry and Belgrade, then we harden our hearts.” DAYLIGHT OFFENSIVE (8.0.W.) RUGBY, May 31. The Air Ministry states: “Our fighters carried out a number of offensive operations over enemy-occupied territory today. Off the Dutch coast an armed trawler was set on fire and sunk while two other vessels were driven aground. In Belgium railway targets and barges were attacked and this evening sweeps were made over Northern France. In the course of these operations four enemy fighters were destroyed, while eight of ours are missing.”