HUGE BOMBING OFFENSIVE

Waikato Times, Volume 194, Issue 22354, 22 May 1944, Page 3

HUGE BOMBING OFFENSIVE

5000 PLANES IN ALL-DAY ATTACK AIRFIELDS AND RAILWAY CENTRES BUSTED 750 AIRCRAFT OUT NEXT DAY (United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright) (Received May 22, 2.15 p.m.) LONDON,. May 21. The Times’ aviation writer says a new record in the air offensive from Britain was established yesterday when nearly 5000 bombers and fighters, over 4000 of which were sent out by the Allied Expeditionary Air Force, maintained a dawn to dusk series of attacks against enemy targets in France and Belgium. They blasted eight German-held airfields., ten strategic railway centres in France and Belgium, and simultaneously hammered without pause other military targets in northern France. From daybreak today hundreds of Allied planes flew over the Channel to the continent to maintain the resumed aerial pounding of the enemy’s military targets. Strong forces of fighters and fighter-bombers estimated to number 750 planes carried out widespread attacks on north, central and eastern Germany, also against targets in northern France. Over France, especially the Pas de Calias and the coastal area generally, large numbers of bombers and fighters were active all day. Bomber Command aircraft last night attacked targets in Western Germany and again laid mines in enemy waters. All returned. Fifty-five Allied planes were lost during the day. At least 20 German machines were destroyed in combat and scores more were destroyed on the ground.

Allied Spitfires and Typhoons attacked railway targets in Northern France today. Strong forces of United States Thunderbolts, Lightnings, Mustang fighters and Thunderbolt fighter-bombers carried out widespread attacks on locomotives, trains, barges, flak towers, airfields and other objectives in Germany today. Other Thunderbolts attacked railway communications in Northern France.

a Thunderbolt escort, made one of the last attacks of the day, hitting the railway yards at Cambrai, Busigny and Bethune. One did not return. Spitfire, Typhoon and Mustang fighters and fighter-bombers also took advantage of the long hours of daylight to carry out widespread attacks on road and rail transport and other targets in France. Their successes included setting fire to and derailing a military train of 30 trucks near Est»*ees and setting fire to five out of eight lorries in the vicinity of Crevecoeur Railway Centres in France Aircraft of the R.A.F. Bomber Command were over France in great strength on Friday night and attacked the railway centres of Boulogne, Orleans, Lemans and Tours, states the Air Ministry. The targets were clearly identified and the bombing was well* concentrated. Military objectives on the coast of France were also bombed. Mosquitoes attacked Cologne, and mines were laid in enemy waters. Seven of our aircraft are missing. One of these attacks caused an explosion which was so bright that the crews were momentarily blinded, and one airman said it was the biggest explosion he had ever seen. I n another case the crews were unable to identify the target on account of heavy cloud, and. rather than endanger French rives, brought their bombs back.

Photographs Show Damage Photographs reveal considerable damage to all four targets attacked by American Fortresses and Liberators yesterday, states an official announcement. A number of hangars and an auxiliary electricity station were damaged at Orly, and a large repair hangar was set on fire. Other buildings were hit. A large aircraft repair depot and at least 20 buildings and hangars were hit at Villa Coublay, with very good results also indicated in the attack against railway yards and an airfield near Rheims.

Three German aerodromes in France, Orly and Villacoubley, near Paris, and Champagne, near Rheims. were attacked by Liberators and Fortresses yesterday morning, states a United States communique. The railway yards at Rneims were also attacked. A very strong fighter escort accompanied the bombers. Later in the morning., airfields and other military objectives in northern France were attacked by R.A.F. aircraft.

Early in the afternoon, Ninth. Air Force Thunderbolt fighter-bombers attacked railway targets in northern France

According to the German news agency, about 30 British planes on Friday night repeatedly bombed and machine-gunned German outpost lories on the island of Ouessant (Ushant), off the north-west coast of France. It is claimed that three planes were snot down.

Bombs on Airfields Marauders and Havocs dropped a total of 350 tons of bombs on German airfields in their first mission. Thick cloud and heavy enemy flak were encountered. The Marauders struck at the airfields at Evreux, 40 miles west of Paris, and Denain, 25 miles south-west of Lille. Havocs attacked the airfield at Beauvais, 30 miles north of Paris, while other formations of medium and light bombers ranged along the French coast, attacking military objectives. A small number of enemy fighters was encountered. Two bombers are missing. The Allied Expeditionary Air Force announced that Marauders and Havocs late yesterday re-crossed the Channel in considerable strength and attacked the port area of Dieppe, two airfields north of Paris, and also military objectives In northern France It was the second mission of the day for the Marauders and Havocs, and it brought their day’s bomb tonnage to over 850. Heavy Flak Reported The bomber crews, who were escorded by Lightnings and Thunderbolts, repoited heavy flak, particularly over Dieppe Three Marauders did not return, but all the fighters got back safely. The crews observed good results after the haze lilted, enabling them to see the bombs landing. Thunderbolt fighter-bombers, with