HUGE CLOUD OF SMOKE

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 87, Issue 201, 26 August 1943, Page 5

HUGE CLOUD OF SMOKE

BERLIN OBLITERATED Recd. 6 p.m. Rugby, Aug. 24. A huge, solid block of white cloud tinged with grey, four miles high, completely obliterated almost all Berlin from the air, according to an R.A.F. reconnaissance pilot who was over the city at 8.30 a.m. to-day. He said that ths smoke from last night’s raid could be seen 200 miles away. “I approached Berlin from the east, flying at 20,000 feet," he said. "A westerly wind was blowing towards me a huge cumulus of smoke which was coming mainly from the centre of the city. Only one or two districts, such as Wilmersdorf and Charlottenburg. were visible. It was evident from the srnoke that there were fires everywhere in and around the centre of the city. The heat of the fires was sending the smoke up to form a solid cloud. There was a greyish tinge to the white cloud, showing that the tires were still burning. It was ths best ‘prang’ I have ever seen. The smoke was better than the anti-air-craft fire, and much better than at Dusseldorf on June 13. Great craters

could be seen in the western part of the city, which was partly visible. The northern sector was clear of smoke. We were scarcely fired at.” The rear-gunner of a Halifax whose aircraft was one of the first to attack last night said that the guns did not open up until the bombing had actually begun. “We did not see any flak at all until we had finished our bombing run,” he said, “and even when the ground gunners did start, the fire was not particularly heavy. But there were numerous fighteiM, some flying with their navigation lights on.” The pilot of a Stirling spoke of a huge explosion as he was making his way out of the target area. “It seemed to be right In the centre of the city, and must have been some-

thing reallv big." Other pilots reported much cloud along the route, but it cleared before Berlin was reached, and the visibility over the target was excellent. Smoke from the fires was reported to be as hi?h as 15,000 feet.

Group Captain Hughie Edwards, V.C. D. 5.0., who now commands a station where there is an Australian squadron, was out last night with his squadron. He said that In his experience and he has taken part in most of the big raids of the war-the attack on Berlin was an outstanding success.- 8.0.W.