U.S. BOMBERS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 87, Issue 4, 6 January 1943, Page 5

U.S. BOMBERS

RAID ON ST. NAZAIRE VICTORY OVER GERMAN FIGHTERS (By Telegraph—Pres? Association—Copyright) (Recd. 7.45 p.m.) London, Jan. 4. In the raid on St. Nazaire yesterday United States Flying Fortresses scored a great victory over German fighters, 38 of which were shot down. On the other hand the Americans took their severest punishment yet over Europe, losing 70 expert airmen and seven bombers, each costing £70,000. The general commanding the Flying Fortresses flew in the leading bomber, which the colonel of ths stationed piloted. It returned with one engine cut out and a number of scar*' caused by heavy flak and engagements with the enemy's fighters.

A large number of German fighters waiting overhead swooped down on any bomber crippled by ground fire. The German fighters adopted new manoeuvres. Flying in pairs, they attacked the Fortresses head-on. The Germans often closed to within 10b yards range, making furious suicide attacks.

One pilot said: “I was flying behind the General’s plane when anti-air-craft shells burst near and pieces were scattered over his Fortress. Two planes in the middle of our formation were hit. One blew up and the other went down in flames. We kept a tight curtain of fire right on the target. The Germans followed us out to sea. We gave heavy punishment. Some broke up in the air and others went down in flames.”