AIR OFFENSIVE

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 86, Issue 118, 22 May 1942, Page 5

AIR OFFENSIVE

RAID ON MANNHEIM HEAVY R.A.F. ATTACK THOUSAND BOMBERS SOON (By Telegraph—Pi ess Association—Copyright./ London, May 2u. A great force ot’ K.A.F. bombers resumed the air offensive against Germany Last night anti made a heavy attack on tne vital industrial city and inland port of Mannheim, on the Rhine. Stirlings, Haliiaxes, Lancasters, Manch esters, Wellingtons, ana Hampdens carried out the raid, which was Man nh cim’s fit ty -f o u rth. One detachment of Stirlings parried over 40,000 incendiary bomos, ana some ol Britain’s heaviest hign-explo-sive bombs were seen to burst among the factories. Few towns in Germany are more important than Mannheim, not only io tne German armed forces but to Italy as well. Concentrated there are war factories of all kinds, making tanks, U-boat components, Diesel engines, ana explosives, and the port, the second largest of its kina in Europe, is a vital transhipment point for coal for Italy—coal that is already in arrear. The bombers flew through a cloudless sky. They identified Mannheim from a’ bend in the Rhine and the docks below were clearly seen. First reports from the crews are of heavy fires left burning ana of heavy explosives bursting among industrial buildings. Another force of R.A.F. bombers pounded the submarine base at St. Nazaire, while fighter planes attacked enemy aerdromes in France and Holland. A New Zealand pilot shot down an enemy plane over Holland. The night's attacks cost the R.A.F. 12 bombers and two fighters. Before the R.A.F. offensive reaches its peak Britain may be sending at least 1000 bombers a night to attack Germany. It was stated in London to-day that this figure is regarded as quite within the powers of the R.A.F. There are the aerodromes to deal with this number of bombers, and as many more as can be got. luere is no shortage of the aviation petrol needed to send out 1000 places. FACTORIES BLITZED (Recd. 7.5 p.m.) Rugby, May 20. The detachment of Stirling bombers which raided Mannheim on Tuesday night carried over 40,000 incendiaries. From the centre of Mannheim to the surrounding suburbs there are war factories ol all kinds, making a variety of armaments. The bombers also carried the heaviest high explosives. Many fires were left burning and the heavy high explosive bombs burst among industrial buildings.—BO.W. N.Z. PILOT’S SUCCESS Rugby, May 20. One enemy aircraft which was shot down over Holland last night was destroy’d single-handed by a 24-year-old New Zealand fighter pilot, says the Air Ministry news service. Thick haze over the Dutch coast made navigation difficult, but the pilot located the enemy aerodrome which was his objective and circled it at a height of 1000 feet. Just below him he saw a twin-engined aircraft with its navigation lights on, preparing to land. He manoeuvred himself into position and, flying slightly above and about 100 yards behind the enemy aircraft, give it three two-second bursts, and the enemy pilot crashed about 100 yards from the aerodrome flare path. The New Zealander, who comes from Ashburton, has taken part in numerous night, attacks on enemy aerodromes, and at the beginning of this month was awarded the D.F.C. for “great skill and exceptional devotion.”—B.O.W.