GREAT ARMADAS

Waikato Times, Volume 132, Issue 22136, 7 September 1943, Page 3

GREAT ARMADAS

NON-STOP FEROCITY BOMBERS AND FIGHTERS ATTACKS ON CONTINENT (United Pres* Assn.— B»*c. Tal. Copyright) (Received Sept. 7, noon) LONDON, Sept. 6 The great Allied air offensive against Hitler’s Europe reached a new peak of non-stop ferocity in the past 24 hours. A few hours after a smashing raid on Mannheim and Ludwigshafen last night great armadas of bombers fighters in daylight today—the fifth day of what the Press Association terms the latest and greatest pre-invasion softeningup—roared out over the. Channel all day to smash the Luftwaffe air bases and communications in France, Holland and Belgium, while Fortresses struck deep into South-west Germany. Throughout the day there was scarcely a break in the formations of British and American bombers and fighters crossing the Continent or returning. Hundreds of planes passed ever the coast hourly. France Expects Invasion Continuing what is believed to be the war’s greatest daylight bombing still another armada of bombers, with a great fighter escort, streamed over the southeast coast this evening and later was seen returning from the Continent. Some Fortresses which bombed south-west Germany today flew the longest round trip yet made from Britain. It was a seven-hour trip, including three hours of bitter combats against enemy fighters. Some planes returned literally with their petrol tanks empty. One pilot landed on a “dead stick” after the last drop of petrol had used up while 2000 feet up. The Paris radio’s commentator, Jean Paquis, declared: “The Allied air attacks against Northern France, Belgium and Holland are reaching unprecedented violence. The whole of France is waiting for an announcement of an invasion beginning. There are unmistakeable signs that a largescale attack might be imminent. It is deplorable how Frenchmen can hardly wait for the arrival of British, American and de Gaullish troops.” 1500 Tons of Bombs Dropped

Over Mannheim and Ludwigshafen last night the Royal Air Force dropped 1500 tons of high explosive and incendiaries. Fires were visible 180 miles away and photographs so far plotted show that the bomb-aimers had the target dead in the sights. The weather was very clear, with visibility up to thirty miles. The attack began shortly before 11 p.m., and lasted three-quarters of an hour. The enemy used every kind of defence. Searchlights made a complete circle round the target. Flak was also extremely violent in the early stages but both lights and flak were reduced by bombs.

Fighters were op patrol in great numbers. At least eleven enemy machines were destroyed. We lost 34 bombers.

Fortresses, supported by Thunderbolts, attacked targets in southwest Germany, and Marauders, escorted by Royal Air Force, Dominion and Allied Spitfires, attacked the marshalling yards at Rouen this morning. Americans Interned Four American Flying Fortresses which are believed to have participated in the raid against Germany made a forced landing in Switzerland yesterday and the crews were interned, says the British United Press’ Berne correspondent. A fifth Fortress fell into' Lake Constance after hits from German antiaircraft guns. Nine members of the crew were rescued and interned. A tenth was killed. American parachutists who dropped on Swiss soil from another Fortress were also interned.