MAJOR BLOW

Wairarapa Times-Age, 17 January 1944, Page 3

MAJOR BLOW

STRUCK AT BRUNSWICK

2,000 TONS OF BOMBS DROPPED IN 23 MINUTES. AIRCRAFT & OTHER FACTORIES AS TARGETS. (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, January 15. Brunswick was the target for a very heavy R.A.F. raid .last night; when some 2000 tons of bombs were dropped on this important centre of the German aircraft and engineering industry. The Air

Ministry communique says that, large fires were left burning. Mosquitos attacked Berlin and-other aircraft bombed targets in northern France and laid mines in enemy waters. Thirty-eight of our aircraft are missing.

Last night’s great Lancaster attack was the first, major one on Brunswick, 110 miles west of Berlin. Brunswick has several aircraft factories and others making tanks, motor-cycles and railway signals. The target was largely cloud-covered ahd sky-markers were used to ring the area to be attacked.

The bombing began exceptionally early, about 7.10 p.m., ,and lasted only 23 minutes, so the bombers were well on their way home before the moon rose. The average rate of bombing was 90 tons a minute, but there must have been moments at the height of the attack when 150 tons per minute were being dropped. All reports agree that the target was well marked. After a quarter of an hour the glow of large fires was seen below the cloud and latei’ fires were seen, in spite of the dense cloud, 150 miles away. One pilot stated he saw a column of smoke 18,000 feet high. Mosquitoes made feint attacks on Berlin and Magdeburg, 50 miles southeast of Brunswick. Night fighters did not arrive over Brunswick till the attack was over, but there was severe opposition along the route where visibility above the cloud was good. Great numbers of fighter flares were dropped to guide the main fighter packs- to the bomber stream both on the outward and return journey. First combat reports checked show that at least four of the night fighters • were destroyed. There were many reports of twinengined fighters using rockets, which is an extension of the tactics first used against American day bombers. A rear gunner said: “There were many rocket shells. I watched them shoot along over 1300 yards. Then there. was a minor explosion and they carried on to finish up .in a bigger explosion.”

DAYLIGHT ATTACKS. The Air Ministry also states that Beaufighters of the Coastal Command attacked enemy shipping off the Norwegian coast yesterday. Two mediumsized vessels were hit with torpedoes and several escorts damaged. Three of our aircraft are missing.

Last night an enemy aircraft dropped bombs in the London area causing damage and a number of casualties, some fatal. Bombs dropped at another place in south-east England fell harmlessly. A joint Anglo-American communique states that a strong formation of heavy, medium and light and fighter bombers yesterday attacked military objectives in northern France. Ihe weather was clear and good results were reported. American Fortresses and Liberators, escorted by American Thunderbolts, Lightnings and Mustangs attacked all the assigned targets. Enemy opposition was weak. Nine enemy aircraft were destroyed by the heavy bombers and 14 by fighters. American Marauders and R.A.F., Dominion and Allied medium, light and fighter bombers also made a series of attacks with fighter cover. Four enemy aircraft were destroyed. From all these operations we lost three heavy bombers and three light bombers, also three fighter-bombers and seven fighters.

STORES IN BRITTANY BOMBED FROM LOW ALTITUDE. LONDON, January 16. Typhoon fighter-bombers attack-, ed enemy store buildings in Brittany today. They dropped their bombs from a height of 150 feet and came back without loss. Mist over the Channel restricted air activity today. A small number of R.A.F. aircraft attacked targets in the Pas de Calais area, in Northern France.

It is now known that the R.A.F's. 1500 ton raid on Leipzig, on December 12, devastated nearly 30 per cent of the most densely built-up areas in the city.

SCATTERED BOMBING

IN SOUTH-EAST ENGLAND.

NO ONE SERIOUSLY INJURED

(By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright) (Received This Day. 10,20 a.m.) RUGBY, January 16.

Early last night there was a little enemy activity over East Anglia and South-East England, including the London area. Bombs were dropped at scattered points. Some damage was done but no one was seriously injured.