NO RESPITE FOR THE RUHR

Timaru Herald, Volume CLIII, Issue 22620, 28 June 1943, Page 5

NO RESPITE FOR THE RUHR

Week of Continuous Night Bombing Allied Airmen Penetrate Strong Defences British Official Wireless (Received 6.30 p.m.) RUGBY, June 26. THE ROYAL AIR FORCE finished a week of continuous night bombing with yet another attack in the Ruhr area, the fourth in five nights. The objective was the Bochum-Gelsenkirchen district, which lies in the heart of the Ruhr, and the defences of Essen, Duisberg, Krefeld, Mulheim and Oberhausen, towns heavily bombed in recent attacks, went into action. An intense barrage came up, but the huge searchlight belt of the Ruhr was handicapped because of cloud, and different tactics from those used in recent raids had to be employed. Instead of trying to cone the bombers, the Germans directed searchlights to the base of the cloud so that the bombers would be clearly silhouetted and picked up by the fighters. There were running fights all along the route from the Belgian coast through the Ruhr and back again. In spite of the cloud the night never became very dark, but enemy fighters were no more successful in stopping the bombers than On the previous night, and clouds over the target were soon glowing from fires. Bochum and Gelsenkirchen have each a population of about 300,000, and many coal mines. Bochum is the centre of the most prolific part of the Ruhr coal basin, while Gelsenkirchen is the chief steam coal mining centre. Both have many important factories. There is a big steel industry at Bochum, while Gelsenkirchen also produces steel, and has two of the largest synthetic oil plants in the Reich. Some of the most important railway communications pass through the district.

Enemy airfields in Northern France were again targets for light bombers and fighter bombers early this evening, Typhoon bombers attacking Vernay airfield about 40 miles south of Le Havre. The planes went through a gap in the clouds, and bursts were seen on buildings, hangars and dispersal pens. One bomb fell on a large aircraft on the ground, and others near twin-engined aircraft. Escorting Typhoon fighters described the bombing results as good. All got back safely. Other Typhoon fighter-bombers swept over the marshalling yards at Eu, near Le Treport. Hits were scored on sidings and the station. Visibility was exceptionally good. No enemy fighters were seen, and all the aircraft returned safely. Bostons, with Spitfire escort, attacked the airfield at Abbeville. According to Mr Elmer Davis. Director of the United States Office of War Information, more than 1000 fighter planes and 30,000 anti-aircraft guns have been assembled in the Ruhr, and Allied losses this week have been heavy. They amounted to 173 bombers, of which 38 were American, and the loss of about 1500 highly-trained men. Tire Germans probably lost a good many more aircraft hr the week. The Royal Air Force on Thursday night made its second heavy attack on Wuppertal, concentrating this time on Elberfeld, which received a weight of bombs nearly as heavy as on Bremen,

when more than 1000 acres were devastated. The Germans pushed the outer ring of their defences to the coast and the attack was pressed home in the face of strong opposition. Thirty-three of our bombers, including eight Canadian, are missing. Not many hours after the Royal Air Force raid on Wuppertal a large force of unescorted Flying Fortfesses at-

tacked in daylight targets in Northwest Germany. Adverse weather was encountered and the observation of targets was difficult. There was also strong fighter opposition and many enemy aircraft were destroyed by our bombers. Eighteen of our aircraft are missing. The Germans last night tried to make a bigger effort than ever to hold off the bombers from the Ruhr area. Scores of searchlights and a heavy barrage greeted them. The crews reported that the coast defences had obviously been strengthened. but a far more intense struggle awaited them when they reached the Ruhr on the way to Elberfeld, one of the towns which forms Wuppertal, states the Air Ministry News Service. Huge belts of searchlights tried to spotlight the bombers and light and heavy guns pumped flak through the beams. One pilot was caught in the searchlights for 20 minutes when he reached the Ruhr area, and was hit several times before he reached his objective. The Germans reinforced the defences by sending up many night lighters. In spite of all opposition the bombers arrived over Elberfeld on time. Fires were soon started below and one bomber was hit by incendiaries from above. These fell into the bomb bay and the doors were opened to let them drop out. Elberfeld is slightly bigger than Barmen, the other section of Wuppertal. which was concentrated upon on the previous raid. American Losses A number of formations of American heavy bombers and Royal Air Force bombers in daylight yesterday attacked enemy airfields and industrial targets in France. Some heavy bombers encountered adverse weather. Those which were unable clearly to identify their targets did not drop their bombs. The majority of the heavy bombers were not escorted, and had many combats, destroying a considerable number of enemy planes. Thunderbolts. supporting other bombers, also had numerous combats, shooting down three enemy planes. Many squadrons of R.A.F.. Dominion and Allied fighters participated in these operations. Five of our bombers and seven of our fighters are missing, but one fighter i pilot is safe. Major-General Davenport Johnson. i commander of the Second United States Air Force, stated at Washington "that the Germans have thrown everything they have against the American heavy bombers but are unable to inflict critical losses. The American losses in the European theatre have been approximately six per cent, which is not too heavy.” Major-General Johnson added: "If we can stay under 10 per cent we can take it.”