STRONG FORMATIONS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 9 February 1944, Page 3

STRONG FORMATIONS

USED BY THE LUFTWAFFE OVER BEACH-HEAD BATTLE AREA MANY SPECTACULAR DOGFIGHTS (British Official Wireless.) (Received This Day, 10.20 a.m.) RUGBY, February 7. Yesterday strong formations of fighters and fighter-bombers were used by the Luftwaffe in attacks on the Allied beach-head south of Rome, states a correspondent at Allied Headquarters. It is estimated that over 120 Nazi planes attacked the area, with bomb-carrying Focke-Wulf 190 s in the majority. Messerschmitt 109 s . flew as escorts. Many spectacular aerial dogfights developed and the Germans lost 16 Focke-Wulf 190 s and three Messerschmitt ’o9s, against an Allied loss of four American fighters. At least another 12 German aircraft were damaged. Many of the raiding formations were broken up before they reached their objectives, but some managed to drop bombs on Allied positions. American fighters at times, penetrated 'to the suburbs of Rome Suring running fights. Five other enemy aircraft were destroyed by Spitfires of the Coastal R.A.F. One was a Messerschmitt 210 and the others were Heinkel 1265. In all, 24 enemy aircraft were destroyed against an Allied loss of five. Invaders, Warhawks, Bostons and Mitchells continued to attack enemy troop concentrations and supply routes and communications near the beach-head battle line.