RECORD AIR FLEETS CONTINUE WAR ON EUROPE

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 88, Issue 94, 21 April 1944, Page 5

RECORD AIR FLEETS CONTINUE WAR ON EUROPE

6000 BOMBERS USED TARGETS OBLITERATED STERN TEST FOR LUFTWAFFE (6.16 p.m.) London, April 20. The greatest air bombing the world has ever known has been in full swing over German-dominated Europe during the past 48 hours. Correspondents say that more than 6000 planes dropped more than 4000 tons of bombs within 36 hours on Axis Europe. Never has such an onslaught been launched from the air. Vital Luftwaffe and invasion targets were obliterated in the mightiest offensive ever known. The following is a summary of the latest operations: On Tuesday, in daylight, nearly 2000 bombers ana fighters struck deeply into Germany, including Berlin. Marauders attacked a rail centre in Belgium and other targets on the northern coast of France, while other nlanes attacked military objectives in Northern France. On Tuesday, at night-time, 1000 R.A.F. planes attacked targets in France on the outskirts of Paris and Rouen, when a record weight of over 4000 tons of bombs was dropped. Mosquitoes went io Berlin. On Wednesday, in daylight, nearly 2000 bombers and fighters attacked Kassel aircraft works and other targets. Three big separate operations occurred over France. Finally, waves of R.A.F. fighters crossed the Straits of Dover in a series of sorties. How long the German air force can withstand this unsurpassed scale of air bombardment is a question intriguing aviation circles. Many believe that if the good bombing weather holds the Luftwaffe can virtually be smashed in a matter of two to three weeks from now. The Press Association correspondent adds: “I am assured that the present terrific scale of the Allied blows can not only be maintained but stepped up.” The Luftwaffe is caught in a twoway trap. If it sends up fighters to save key aircraft centres its losses are likely to be crippling, and if it conserves its front-line forces its factories and parks will be smashed and essential reserves 'nit off. The indications of the past 48 hours are that the Germans intend to try a middle line. The only conclusion that can be reached from the latest phases of the battle is that even now the Germans cannot adequately defend the Reich, either in the west or the south. SECOND FRONT BOMBING

The British United Press’ aviation correspondent describes the operations in France as “second front bombing” and points out that many places attacked are bottlenecks for railway traffic to the French coast. “Not for nothing did the recent broadcast to the French people tell them to keep away from the railways,” the correspondent says. He re-, buts the fallacy that the railways can be repaired in a few hours and says this may apply to isolated bombing of a line, but not to the marshalling yards, on which the efficiency of the whole railway system depends. A British Official Wireless message says that Wednesday was another great day of the air offensive against military targets in Germany and Ger-man-occupied territory by Britainbased aircraft. Eighth Air Force bombers a.nd fighters, who raided the Kassel and Hamm areas, numbered well over 1500. In excellent weather, they delivered a concentrated assault on Focke Wulf components and assembly factories near Kassel, and a series of aircraft parks, repair depots and workshops near Kassel and Hamm. The attack produced little German fighter opposition. One group reported being resisted by approximately 50 planes. Others saw none. Anti-aircraft fire was generally on a reduced scale, too, although in some spots, it was sharp.

That was the first operation of the day. The second was when Marauders and Havocs, attacked military objectives in northern France during the morning. The third and fourth operations were when more Marauders and Havocs attacked the same objectives in the afternoon, and, at the same time, other Marauders bombed railway yards at Malines, in Belgium. Later in the afternoon came the fifth and sixth operations, when Libenators with Thunderbolt escorts, bombed military objectives In the Pas de Calais area, while other Thunderbolts conducted offensive patrols over Holland. The seventh operation was carried out by Beaufighters of the Coastal Command, escorted by Spitfires. who attacked enemy vessels off the Dutch coast. Two vessels were left on fire, and a third was damaged bv cannon and machine-gun fire. Recd. 8.10 p.m. London, April 19. Mitchell and Boston bombers and Spitfire fighter-bombers attacked military objectives in northern France late this afternoon and late this evening, and 250 Marauders and Havocs, escorted by R.A.F., Dominion and Allied Spitfires, attacked more targets in northern France and Belgium. Other Marauders attacked the Malines railway yards. R.A.F. Mustangs attaeped airfields in southern France. There was no enemy fighter opposition and only moderate flak. All the planes returned. Paris radio stated: “Fires are still raging in the centre of Rouen as a result of last night’s raid, which destroyed a great part of the city. Many bodies are stil buried under wreckage and thousands were rendered homeless." Jean Paquis, Paris radio's commentator, declared: “Despite last night’s tragedy Frenchmen are already finding excuses for Allied.bomber pilots. When the roar of the machines was heard over Paps these people were overjoyed and wished the Allied formations a good bombing run. To-day, when part of Paris is in flames, these people seem to see in the flames a gigantic torch of victory."