GREAT ARMADA OF BOMBERS

Timaru Herald, Volume CLV, Issue 22789, 13 January 1944, Page 4

GREAT ARMADA OF BOMBERS

Germans Offer Vicious Opposition

Claim To Have Shot Down 123

N.Z.P.A.—Special Australian Correspondent

(Rec. 9.25 p.m.) LONDON, Jan. 12. Strong forces of Fortresses and Liberators to-day fought their way through a host of enemy fighters in a running battle lasting three hours to attack targets in northwestern Germany, says the United States Army Air Force communique.

Although escorted most of the way by strong formations of Lightning and Thunderbolt fighters operating shuttle relays and protected during the withdrawal by R.A.F. and Allied fighters, the great armada of bombers was subject to continuous attack by enemy aircraft during the entire time they were over Germany. The enemy used virtually every type of aircraft which could give battle to the bombers and their assault, was vicious and determined. One pilot said: “The enemy fighters attacked us at the Zuider Zee in spite of our escort, and came at us in bunches.”

A special communique from Hitler’s headquarters claims that 123 American planes, mostly four-engined bombers, were shot down for the loss of nine German fighters. It is believed that at least 700 American bombers participated in the attack on North-western Germany. Travellers who arrived in Stockholm from Germany say isolated planes bombed Berlin yesterday. Targets east of Berlin were also attacked. The main single attack was against Danzig. Military objectives in Northern France were attacked yesterday by small formations of fighter-bombers and light bombers escorted by fighters. One enemy aircraft was destroyed.

It is now known that two of the four fighter-bombers reported missing yesterday landed safely. One enemy aircraft was destroyed and one of ours is missing from intruder operations in France last night. Fighter-bombers in small formations this morning attacked military objectives in Northern France, without loss.

Royal Air Force Mosquitoes revisited Berlin last night, and also raided targets in Western Germany. All these aircraft returned.

Intruder operations were carried out over Northern France and the Low Countries. Mosquitoes in a squadron taking part in these operations shot down their one hundredth enemy aircraft. Great fires were still burning yesterday in the Kiel dock area, which was bombed by Flying Fortresses last Wednesday. Owing to the flames and the heavy pall of smoke it has not been possible for reconnaissance aircraft to ascertain the full extent of the damage caused. It has been seen that fires are still burning in the Üboat construction area, and that many of the chief industrial areas are also in flames. Other areas of Kiel had been completely burnt out.