Newspaper cutting - 1000 bombers drop 4,500 tons on Essen. 4,500 tons on Essen by 1000 bombers

Newspaper cutting - 1000 bombers drop 4,500 tons on Essen. 4,500 tons on Essen by 1000 bombers

Two newspaper cuttings describing attacks on Essen with only 8 planes lost. Ruhr has taken on new significance as front lines only 50 miles away. Mentions attackers had to fly through snow storms and that Germany had lost much of its radar network.

Two newspaper cutting mounted on a sheet of lined paper

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NWeedenRC170409-020002

1,000 BOMBERS DROP 4,500 TONS ON ESSEN

BLOW TO DEFENCES: ONLY 8 PLANES LOST

A force of over 1,000 Lancasters and Halifaxes dropped more than 4,500 tons of high-explosive and incendiary bombs on Essen, home of the Krupps works, in Monday night’s attack, stated the Air Ministry last night.

Crews report that fires miles in extent lit up the clouds which obscured the targets.

“There was an enormous glow over an area two or three miles square,” said one bomb-aimer, Sgt. A. Weston, of Clapham, S.W.

Besides the formation over Essen, Bomber Command send a force to Berlin. Night-fighters supported the bombers and shot up airfields.

RADIOLOCATION LOSS

Eight planes are missing from the night’s operations.

One suggested explanation for our light losses is that the Germans, having lost much of their radiolocation network, which used to be strung out along the coast of the occupied countries, now have shorter warning of our bombers’ approach.

Bomber Command has now dropped well over 19,000 tons on the Ruhr during this month and has attacked the four largest cities – Essen, Duisburg, Dortmund and Bochum.

The Ruhr has taken on a new significance with the front line now only about 50 miles away, and has become a tactical centre of the utmost importance. The Germans can use its widespread waterways and railway system to bring up supplies to the front-line troops.

Many of its undamaged or repaired factories have been turned into advanced workshops, where the enemy can repair the guns, tanks, and military vehicles knocked out in the fighting.

The Ruhr factories which are still working can send their products straight to the battle front, whereas the Allies must bring their tanks and guns from overseas, some of them from American.

THROUGH SNOWSTORMS

The weather began to cloud over as the bombers approached the Continent to deliver the latest blow on the Krupps city. Soon they were flying through severe snowstorms which lasts until they were within 50 miles of Essen.

At the beginning of the attack Essen had to rely for its defence on a barrage which at times was so intense that many pilots had to take violent evasive action.

Towards the end strong forces of German fighters arrived, and their flares were seen along the route leading away from the target.


4,500 TONS ON ESSEN BY 1,000 BOMBERS

THROUGH SNOWSTORMS AND INTENSE FLAK

Over 4,500 tons of high-explosive and incendiary bombs were dropped on Essen on Monday night by more than 1,000 R.A.F. bombers. They flew through sever snowstorms and an intense barrage to attack the great armament and railway centre, the home of Krupps.

Now that the enemy has lost much of his Radar network strung out along the coasts of the occupied countries, he no longer has such a long warning of the approach of our aircraft. On Monday night the enemy had to rely mainly on his ground guns and mass searchlights to defend the city. Crews reported hat [sic] every possible gun was brought into action. Towards the end of the attack the defences were strengthened by strong forces of fighters, whose flares were soon seen along the route leading away from the target.

Objectives in Berlin were also bombed. Night fighters of Bomber Command supported the bombers and attacked airfields behind the enemy’s lines Eight of our aircraft are missing.