Evening star., 1944-03-24
u. 5. Bombers
Again Hammer
Targets
First Returning
Flyers Report No
Air Opposition
By the Associated Press.

LONDON, Mar. 24.-Americar
heavy bombers drove into Ger
many for the third straight day
today, bombing military targets
in Western Germany, a United
States communique announced
following strong Raj night
blows at objectives in France.
While Flying Fortresses smashed
into Germany to the accompaniment
OF the German warning service
"Achtung (Attention), Achtung
Strong enemy bomber formations
flying over Western Germany" Lib
orator. orators bombed enemy aHhelds in
Northeastern France.
These attacks raised to f9-ay new
record-the number of American at
tacks in single month. Fourteen
of the attacks in March were di-
rected against targets in Germany
The previous high for operationaI
missions was 18, in February.
Strong Fighter Escort.
AS on yesterday when a six-prone
assault was made on railroad yards
aircraft stations and other objec-
tiveS in Western Germany. the
heavy bombers today were escorted
by strong formations of Lightning
Thunderbolt and Mustang fighters.
First American fighter and bomb
er groups back from today's raids
reported no enemy air opposition.
1T was highly overcast" said
Col. Hubert Zemke of Missoula
Mont, Thunderbolt group com
mander. I'VE couldn't see a thing ~
Bomber groups said they flew
over thick overcast through which
the Germans threw a barrage of
antiaircraft fire. A number of
flyers said they saw the fiery trail
OF ground rockets but said "they
didn't bother U.S."
RAF heavies, bombing detectives
around the industrial city of Lyon in
Southern France and the railroad
yards on Laon, 80 miles northeast of
Paris, last night brought the total
Allied air forces over Germany and
occupied territory in 36 hours to be-
tween 5000 and 5000 planes. it was
estimated. Bomb tonnage for that
period was boosted to around 1000.
Two RAF planes were lost last
night in operations which included
Mosquito stabs at the Rhineland
communications center OF Dort-
mund, and minelaying missions.
81 Nazi Planes Downed.
The United States Air Forces an
nounced that 81 enemy aircraft
were knocked down in yesterday
blasting of six targets in Germany
Thirty-nine of these were accounted
for by the Fortresses and Liberators
and % by the fighter escort.
While losing 81 heavy bombers
and fighters. American head
quarters said an incomplete assess
ment Of the damage done included
Handorf airfield-Two out of five
hangers hit and left burning. Bar
racks hit. Heavy concentration OF
bombs on landing field.
Hamm railroad yards-Direct hits
on railroad bridge, hits on main
line into city. Industrial damage
on river front.
Muenster - Damage in densely
builtup part of city.
In addition the Brunswick dis
trict, the aircraft park at Werl and
the air force station at Achmer were
hit.
Campaign Against Railroads.
The RATS assault on the Laon
yards, As miles south of the Pas-de-
Calais, the 90-mile deep French
department which the Allies have
been bombing heavily for the last
seven months, was part of the
co-ordinated day-and-night cam
paign against the network of French
and Belgian railroads leading to the
invasion coast.
Eleven raids this month have
been directed at this network. in
cluding two yesterday by American
Marauders against Creil, 20 miles
north of Paris, which they have
visited three times in a week, and
Haine-St. Pierre, near Charleroi in