MILITARY TARGETS ATTACKED

Southland Times, Issue 25513, 6 November 1944, Page 5

MILITARY TARGETS ATTACKED

Aircraft Out In Force Over Germany

(8.0.W.) RUGBY, November 4. The Air Ministry states that R.A.F. Mosquitoes, without loss, attacked Berlin last night. More than 1100 Flying Fortresses and Liberators of the Bth Air Force escorted by more than 800 Thunderbolts and Mustangs today attacked synthetic oil plants, oil refineries, marshalling yards and dther targets in Germany. The objectives- included synthetic oil plants and refineries in the Hamburg-Harburg area in northern Germany, the synthetic oil plant at Gelsenkirchen in the Ruhr, military targets in the Hanover region and railway yards at Saarbrucken in the Saar basin. Everything was so clear during the attack on Dusseldorf on Friday night that the crews could see the markers when still 50 miles from the target. The 'enemy’s heavy guns, went into action while fighters joined in the battle in greater numbers than during the offensive against Cologne. Many enemy fighters, including numbers of jetpropelled machines were seen.

An Air Ministry communique says that after the attack very large fires were left burning. Nine enemy fighters, including five jet-propelled aircraft, were destroyed by the bombers. Night fighters supported the bombers and attacked many airfields. Mosquitoes on intruder patrol attacked transport targets and destroyed an enemy aircraft, over north-west Germany. From these raids 21 bombers are missing.