Evening star., 1944-03-09
First Returning
Flyers Report
Little Opposition
BY the Associated Press.

States 9th Air Force.
1t was the second straight day
that the Flying Fortresses and Lib
orators had hit the German capital
which was first attacked by Ameri-
can forces last Saturday and again
set afire Monday.
Additional fires were started YES
terday, and reports to Swedish news
papers from Berlin correspondents
said thousands of persons" were
killed.
Today's attack demonstrated the
amazing reserve strength in equip
ment and the endurance of the 9th
Air Force crews.
Strong forces of fighters from the
9th and 9th Air Forces escorted the
bombers.
No Hint of Strength.
The flrSt announcement gave no
hint as to how today's bomber for
nations compared in strength with
yesterdays raid on the German cap
1tal by at least $50 four -engined
bombers.
First Berlin announcements failed
to crow over the great aerial bat
ties as during the previous Amer
lean raids, and today's formations
may have reached the city with COM
paratively minor resistance from
German fighters. 1t was certain that
the German air arm was experience
cling one of the most exhausting weeks
Of the war.
The first bunch of 9th Air Force
Mustang pilots back from the trip
said they saw hardly one Nazi
fighter. They reported two separate
layers OF cloud all the way over the
continent and consequently they did
not see the ground at any time after
reaching operational height.
The Berlin radio acknowledged
today's attack, but this time in hazy
weather, in contrast to the fairly
clear skies under which the two pre-
vious blows had been struck.
Nazis Admit Damage.
Another Berlin broadcast ac-I
knowledged that lin the residential
quarters of some parts OF the town
damage was caused and there were
some losses among the population"
In spite of unfavorable weather
German antiaircraft defenses de-
stroyed a number Of four-engined
bombers and fighters" it continued.
Enemy formations on the return
flight are still ceaselessly engaged
by German antiaircraft defenses."
(Secretary of War Stimson at
his press conference today praised
the American flyers attacking
Berlin and said the Germans
could Ill afford their fighter plane
losses.
C'Flak has never stopped us
nor have e-flying fighter de-
fenses, nor clouds nor fog" Mr..
Stimson said. only daylight
itself remained as protection
for this all-important city of
Berlin. And now that last pro-
lection is gomez
Meanwhile, yesterdays attack on
Berlin was disclosed by the Allies to
have taken a toll of 125 German
planes. Forty-two were shot down
by the bombers and SO by fighters.
This tally brought to 301 the
number of enemy planes accounted
for in two great sallies against
Berlin Monday and Wednesday.
38 Bombers Lost.
Thirty EIGHT of the big American
bombers we're lost, compared with
the 68 on Monday, while fighter
losses totaled Is instead of the 16
as first reported yesterday. Eleven
fighters were lost Monday.
In addition to the damage done
Hitler's force in the air, United
States headquarters announcement
said all four of the main buildings
Of the VKF ball-bearing factory at
Erkner in the suburbs of Berlin were
bombed yesterday. At least one was
seriously damaged and left burning,
while smoke so obscured the other
three that the damage could not be
discerned.
Three buildings of factory max
ing torpedo parts also were set afire
The German high command in its
communique today admitted that
damage was suffered from the at
tack yesterday, but asserted 112
Allied aircraft, including &c four
engined bombers, were brought
down.
Our very strong fighter escort
defeated them again" an American
communique declared, however.
100000 Bombs Dropped.
More than 10000 high explosive
bombs were dropped on the enemy S
industrial targets, and the wreckage
was set aflame by 350,000 incendiary
bombs.
Returning crewmen told of seeing
towers of black smoke still visible
when they were 100 miles on their
homeward journey.
British press commentators rolled
out their superlatives in describing
the attack, one calling it possibly
the most significant air victory of
the entire war.
U. S. Flyers Praised.
"The enemy's failure to stop this
weeks attacks on Berlin may herald
the downfall of the German air
force AS a defensive force also" the
Daily Mail said.
Praising the American flyers as
"men OF skill. men of daring, men
of audacity, men of courage" the
Daily Express declared editorially:
The heroic engagement of yes
terday that followed the raid earlier
in the week shows a spirit of de-
termination that insures the future
of the world and inspires conf
dence in all free people"
Londons air-raid sirens sounded
last night, but the all-clear came
quickly and scarcely any gunfire
was heard.