Evening star., 1944-02-26
Roosevelt Orders Quick Review
Of Five Million Job Deferments;
RAF Armada Pounds Augsburg
Americans Down
142Nuzi Planes,
Lose 50 Bombers

By the Associated Press.
LONDON, Feb. ga large fleet
of British bombers attacked the
burning city of Augsburg last
night and increased to 1900 the
tonnage of bombs dropped on
Germany in an unparalleled six
day offensive against the Reich's
aircraft industry.
The raid followed two way at
tack on Regensburgs Messerschmitt
factory by heavy American bombers
which flew from both Britain and
Italy. The Americans destroyed 142
enemy planes and lost a record
number of SO bombers. The 9th Air
Force from Britain lost 80 bombers
and the 18th Air Force from Italy
lost 30.
The German radio said large-scale
attacks on the chemical center of
Frankfurt were made at the same
time as the Raj raid on Augs-
burg and the Swiss radio said last
night flights crossed Switzerland from
Italy-raising the distinct possibility
that Italian based Wellingtons of
the Raj again carried out a two
way British assault as they did the
night before.
The Air Ministry communique an
nouncing the operation against
Augsburg said 1t was carried out in
very great strength" and that the
city, center of aerial engine pro-
duction, was attacked twice during
the night by large forces of Lancas-
ters and Halfaxes.
THE weather was favorable and
reports indicated the bombing was
concentrated and effective" the
communique added.
"a Planes Are Lost.
TWenty-four planes were lost in
these Raj assaults and in stimuli
taneous mosquito operations over
Southwest Germany and the Low
Countries and in extensive mine
laying sweeps.
Flying Fortresses from Britain
made the l,600mile round trip to
Augsburg yesterday and set fires
which lighted the way for the Raj.
OF the American attack on Regens-
burg, Army headquarters said:
In a vain effort to protect the
vital remnants of German fighter
production. the Luftwaffe opposed
our attacking forces .furiously.
THE 18th AAF tfrom italy, en-
countered $50 to 300 enemy aircraft
(and) destroyed SO fighters in a
violent and prolonged air battle"
49 More Destroyed.
Heavy bombers from British bases
destroyed % enemy aircraft and
fighters from British bases shot
down 26.
From the size Of the force heard
leaving Britain last night for the
blow at Augsburg, 300 miles south
west of Berlin, it was probable that
1000 tons of bombs were showered
on that production center.
The Air Ministry's communioue
disclosing that the attack was bv
two separate forces of Lancasters
and Halifaxes, indicated a new tao
tic employed by the Raj for the
first time Thursday night against
Schweinfurt, again had been used
successfully.
OF the estimated 1900 to 1850
tons OF bombs poured on Germany
since last Sunday it was probable
more than half had been accounted
for by the powerful American 8tt
and 18th Air Forces.
1000 Fighters In Escort.
The greatest American fighter
group ever dispatched from British
bases-estimated at more thar
1000 planes-escorted the American
bombers from England which
dumped their loads on the Regens.
burg factory already burning from
the attack of the Italy-basee
bombers.
The assault marked the thire
time this week that American bomb.
ers from Britain and Italy STRUCK
at enemy targets at the same time
but it was the first time the,
both hit at the same target stimuli.
taneously. The RAF also took III
the two-way attack Thursday night
with British-based bombers strik.
ing at Schweinfurt while forma.
tions from Italy blasted Steyr.
The American bombers from Brit
ain also struck at a ball-bearing fac
tory at Stuttgart and a major air.
frame components factory at Furth
5 miles northwest of Nuremberg
Other Flying Fortress and Liberator
formations from Italy blasted the
Italian Adriatic ports of Pola and
F1ume, the Yugoslav port of Zaran
ana airdrome near Graz in Southern
Austria and the railway junction at
zell Am See, 80 miles southwest OF
Salzberg.
Good Results Reported.
Photographs made at Augsburg
Furth, Stuttgart all-bearing plant
and Regensburg showed good re-
suits" it was announced.
We had to fight every inch of the
way to Regensburg," one crewman
from Italy said, but we saw our
bombs smash into the snow-covered
factory" Another declared that the
factory buildings seemed to rise of
the ground and disintegrate in the
air.
The Americans flying from Britain
reported little fighter opposition and
excellent bombing results. eve
moved the factory brick by brick, >
said one navigator, while a bonn
bardier asserted Il don't think Re.
gensburg will ever make another
fighter"
|Swedes Fire at Planes
LONDON, Feb. rs (R.-Berlir
broadcast a DNB Stockholm dis.
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