Big U.S. bombers aid Commandos, rake Nazi base
London, England (UP) –
American Flying Fortresses today carried out a successful precision bombing attack on the key Nazi air base on Northern France at Abbeville in an air maneuver designed to support the Commandos fighting at Dieppe.
Two squadrons of the huge high-altitude American planes roared over the Abbeville airdrome which is known to American Eagle and RAF pilots as a “hornet’s nest” of crack Nazi planes and pilots.
In good visibility, the Americans employed their famed bombsights to lay numerous hits on runways, buildings and aircraft dispersal areas. Protecting the U.S. planes were British and Canadian fighter squadrons.
All the attacking bombers returned safely.
Abbeville is abut 35 miles from Dieppe and is known to be a key point in the entire Nazi defense system for France and the Low Countries.
RAF men regarded it as one of the most dangerous Luftwaffe bases which they have to deal with.
Combined Operations HQ, Britain (August 19, 1942)
Despite the clear statement in our first communiqué at 6 o’clock this morning and broadcast to the French at 6:15 about the raid on Dieppe, German propaganda, unable to make other capital out of the turn the operation has taken, is claiming the raid was an invasion attempt which they have frustrated.
In point of face, reembarkation of the main forces engaged was begun six minutes after the time scheduled and has been completed nine hours after the initial landing, as planned.
Some tanks have been lost during the action ashore, and reports show that fighting has been very fierce and casualties are likely to have been heavy on both sides.
A full report will not be available until our forces are back in England.
In addition to destruction of a six-gun battery and ammunition dump reported in our earlier communiqué, a radio location station and a flak (anti-aircraft) battery were destroyed.
Apart from losses inflicted on the enemy, vital experience has been gained in the employment of substantial numbers of troops in an assault and in transportation and use of heavy equipment during combined operations.
Our new tank-landing craft were in action today for the first time.
There was intense activity by aircraft of all operational commands of the RAF in support of the landing of our troops against heavy enemy defences, and air fighting on a most intense scale also developed.
From reports so far received 82 enemy aircraft are known to have been destroyed in addition to a number shot down by naval vessels. More than 100 enemy aircraft were also probably destroyed or damaged.
Ninety-five of our aircraft of all commands are missing, but 21 fighter pilots are known to be safe, and it is hoped that others will prove to have been rescued.