DAYLIGHT RAID

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 87, Issue 66, 20 March 1943, Page 5

DAYLIGHT RAID

BREMEN REPAIR SHOPS STRONG LIBERATOR FORCE London, March 18. American heavy bombers made a big daylight raid on Germany today, when their target was the Üboat yards near Bremen. A strong force of Flying Fortresses and Liberators carried out the attack. The weather was clear, and many hits were scored on the yard, which is engaged in the building and repairing of submarines. There was heavy opposition from enemy aircraft, many of which were destroyed or damaged. Two American bombers failed to get back. Rugby, March 18. An Air Ministry communique states that this afternoon, Venturas, escorted by Spitfires, attacked objectives at Maasluis, near Rotterdam. Some enemy fighters were encountered, and two were destroyed by our lighters. Non*-' of our aircraft is missing.— 8.0.W.

FACTS BEHIND R.A.F.’S RAIDS

(Snecial Correspondent—N.Z.P.A.) Recd. 6 p.m, London, March 18. The R.A.F.’s heavy attacks against the Ruhr Valley—" Happy Valley” is the airmen’s nickname—have been carried out so regularly that *there is perhaps a tendency to take them for granted. Behind these raids lie interesting facts. There are three times as many night fighters engaged in meeting the R.A.F. raids as the Germans have despatched to Tunisia. The defences of Essen alone are believed .to require the employment of at least 50.000 men. It is known that at least SO factory shops were hit during the last two big raids on Essen and that 54 were severely damaged, while successes were also scored against loco motive wagon shops.

A raiding force of 400 bombers comprises some 3000 men. thus each opciation is a very formidable battle, the purpose of which is, firstly, to deprive the Germans of their weapons; secondly, to detain air and other forces which would otherwise go to Russia; and thirdly, to weaken Germany’s will to wage war. The fact that Krupps works have been successfully bombdd is a feather in the R.A.F.’s hat. for the Ruhr Valley is the most difficult target in Germany, Essen is the most difficult target in the Ruhr, and Krupps the most difficult target in Essen. The question is sometimes raised in Britain w’-'pther the bombing policy is worthwhile, but it is felt that in view of the forces the Germans are obliged to employ, in addition to the damage caused, there is a valuable dividend.