U.S. heavy bombers attack Romania and airfields in France
London, England (AP) –
Up to 500 U.S. heavy combers from Italy struck Romanian oil targets for the second consecutive day today, while an equal force from Britain smashed anew at German airfields in France.
Improving weather permitted the first heavy air action in France in several days. Airdromes in northern and Northwest France were bombed by instrument through heavy cloud layers. Headquarters did not specify targets. Lightnings, Thunderbolts and Mustangs flew with the bombers through varying intensities of flak, which felled two bombers and four fighters.
Refinery left in flames
Objectives of the Mediterranean forces were at Brașov, 85 miles north of Bucharest, and at Pitești, due west of Ploești, the Romanian oil capital. Flying Fortresses bombed the Photogen refinery at Brașov, leaving it enveloped in smoke.
Liberators bombed railroad repair shops and a rail bridge at Pitești on the Bucharest-Belgrade trunk line. Convoying Mustangs and Lightnings destroyed an undesignated number of interceptors over Brasov. The other U.S. formations encountered few fighters.
Patches of clouds hung over the Normandy battle area and the ceiling was no more than 3,000 feet in some places, but still the day brought the Allies their best flying weather in four days.
Airfields near Paris hit
Clouds forced most bombardiers to use the overcast bombing technique. One Fortress formation bombed two airfields in the vicinity of Paris. Returning crewmen from that group said they encountered no German planes and only light flak.
The new daylight operations were launched after a night of increased activity which saw RAF Mosquito bombers spread havoc among German rear-line communications south of Paris and attack targets in the German Ruhr Valley for the first time since June 30. Mines were also laid in enemy waters during the overnight forays, which were carried out without loss.
The first improvement in the weather was noted last evening, when tactical air formations based in both Britain and Normandy were able to step up their operations, bringing to 600 the total number of sorties flown during the day.