American "Fortresses and Liberators, roaring through North Sea snow
storms on a 1,200-mile round trip to Norway, struck a heavy double blow
at vital German installations yesterday in the Allies' first big bombing
raid from Britain since Saturday's attack on Bremen. The targets.
Eighth Air Force headquarters announced late last night, were a
molybdenum mine at Knaben and a large power station at Rjuken.
The great German base of Gomel, hinge of the entire Nazi line in Russia
and the last enemy bastion east of the Dnieper River, was virtually
isolated last night following a thrust by Red Army columns which cut the
Gomel escape railway running westward to Pinsk.
The Japs' base at Rabaul hias been neutralized after the recent
devastatin attacks on the harbor works, shipping and airfields, a
spokesman at Gen. MacArthur's headquarters indicated today But he added
that the base would be re-visited from time to time to make sure that it
recovered none of us value as an offensive base.
ACTS OF HEROISM
All but one member of the crew of an American B17 gave their lives Saturday to save this little village when
their
bomb-laden Fortress caught fire-and had to be abandoned. They stayed on
board their burning plane, steered it away from the town's houses and
accurately released their entire load of explosive along the banks
of a narrow river a split second before the plane blew up in the air.THE STARS AND STRIPES Daily Newspaper of U.S. Armed Forces in the European Theater of Operations
New York, N.Y.—London, England Wednesday, Nov. 17,1943
U.S. Bombers Hit Norway Second Time
Forts Libs. Attack
Mine, Power Station
In 1,200-Mile Flight
2 Heavy Bombers Lost, 6 Enemy Planes
Shot Down; Flak Reported Light;
Molybdenum Mine One Target
American "Fortresses and Liberators, roaring through North Sea snow storms on a 1,200-mile round trip to Norway, struck a heavy double blow at vital German installations yesterday in the Allies' first big bombing raid from Britain since Saturday's attack on Bremen. The targets. Eighth Air Force headquarters announced late last night, were a molybdenum mine at Knaben and a large power station at Rjuken.
One heavy bomber was lost at Knaben against a toll of four German fighters, and a second bomber was lost from the Rjuken raiding force, which shot down two enemy planes, headquarters said. The attack, the USAAF's second on targets in Norway, was launchedonly a few hours after German bombers
resumed raids after a lapse of nearly a week. The first raid on Norway, July 24, carried a large force of B17s to the U-boat base at Trondheim and another force to the metal plant at Heroya.
Crews returning from the long run to Norway said they bombed in perfect visibility and encountered comparatively light anti-aircraft and fighter opposition. Bombardiers whose target was the molybdenum mines at Koaben, 50 miles southeast of Stavanger and someHO miles inland from Norway's southern coast,
reported fair results and those who attacked the power station at Rjukan, about 75 miles due west of Oslo, said bombing results were good.
Crews said that even to locate this target from the air meant a considerable feat of navigation, and under bad
visibility it would have been impossible to hit. As it was, they said, "we hit it right on the nose
A great fiash and a tremendous explosion followed the bombing at Rjuken, and smoke billowed up from the center of the target. Some of the airmen said the explosion lifted their planes suddenly "as if a giant hand was pulling usupwards."
Reds Sever
Rail Link
With Gomel
Big Base East of Dnieper
Is Virtually Isolated
By Soviet Thrust
The great German base of Gomel, hinge of the entire Nazi line in Russia and the last enemy bastion east of the Dnieper River, was virtually isolated last night following a thrust by Red Army columns which cut the Gomel escape railway running westward to Pinsk.
Driving through to the town of Demichi. eight miles west of Ryechitsa the Russians also cut the main
highway west of Gomel, opening up the way for an attack against the last escape rail line, which runs from Gomel northwestward to Minsk through Kalinkovichi.
This route was described as the key to German resistance in the area. Over it the Germans have been pouring in supplies and reserves in an effort to prevent a largescale break-through. - Should Gomel fall, the Germans will have no "anchor" in the Pripet Marshes until they reach the other side of the vast swamps, across the old Polish border.
3,000 Nazis Killed
Booty captured by the Russians in their White Russian drive left no doubt as to the completeness of their victories. Huge quantities of tanks, guns and trucks, as well as main gasoline and ammunition dumps, were seized in the Gomel area. Large numbers of prisoners were taken and 3,000 Germans have been killed.
9 in Blazing Bomb-Laden Fort
Die to Save English Village
WARGRAVE. Berkshire, Nov. 16 (UP)—
All but one member of the crew of an American B17 gave their live Saturday to save this little village when
their bomb-laden Fortress caught fire-and had to be abandoned. They stayed on board their burning plane, steered it away from the town's houses and accurately released their entire load of explosive along the banks
of a narrow river a split second before the plane blew up in the air.
The -sole survivor of the Fortress was blown out when the plane exploded. His parachute opened and he escaped with a sprained ankle. He was listed by the Air Force as S/Sgt. Alan B. Purdy. Villagers of Wargrave were convinced that the 'heroism, selfPsacrifice and cool aiming of the airmen saved the village
from beina wiped out. As it was, the bombs did practically no damage to the town.
The local chief rescue officer said he was cocvinced the airmen could have bailed out in plenty of time, as they had previously sent a radio distress call.
"In my opinion," he said, "the U.S. fliers deliberately stayed on board to reach the riverside field and unload their bombs before making a crash landing.
The proof is that although the river is only 60 yards wide, one bomb broke the river bank and landed in the water, and the rest landed in a straight line on both banks not more than 20 feet from the water, thus saving our lives. "I believe the aim would have been more accurate still if the explosion of the
plane had not marred the direction of the last three bombs."
(page 4)
Rabaul Base
Is Neutralized
By Air Attacks
Reconnaissance Catalinas
Blast Light Cruiser
At Stronghold
ALLIED HQ. Southwest Pacific. Nov. 16 (UP)—-
The Japs' base at Rabaul hias been neutralized after the recent devastatin attacks on the harbor works, shipping and airfields, a spokesman at Gen. MacArthur's headquarters indicated today But he added that the base would be re-visited from time to time to make sure that it recovered none of us value as an offensive base.
Catalinas, the "eyes" of the U.S. mam air and naval forces, were over the base yesterday, presumably for this purpose, and bombed and hit a light cruiser and a large merchant vessel. If they saw any signs of the Japanese reviving the base, tremendous Allied air attacks will undoubtedly follow to smash up the enemy's repair works. „„ . ri " Ground forces on Bougainville pushed through the damp, dense jungles for new advances', while bombers and hghteis raked Japanese airfields and installations
at Buka and Bonis. .
Rainy weather interfered with all operations in the South Pacific, the communique In Dutch Mew Guinea medium units at night bombed the jetty areas at Sorong and at Boela on Ceram island, causing fires in both target areas. At Timor, medium units bombed Penfoei airdrome at ni°ht. causing explosions and tires
visible" for 50 miles.
Jap bombers in a daylight raid dropped 30 bombs harmlessly in the harbor at Finschafen, New Guinea.
Marshall Islands Blasted
PEARL HARBOR, Nov. 16 (AP) Liberators raided Betio island and Tarawa Atoll at night Nov. 13. The next night, Betio and Mille Atoll in the Marshalis were blasted, Adm. Chester Nimitz announced today.
9 in Blazing Bomb-Laden Fort
Die to Save English Village
WARGRAVE. Berkshire, Nov. 16 (UP)—
All but one member of the crew of an American B17 gave their live Saturday to save this little village when
their bomb-laden Fortress caught fire-and had to be abandoned. They stayed on board their burning plane, steered it away from the town's houses and accurately released their entire load of explosive along the banks
of a narrow river a split second before the plane blew up in the air.
The -sole survivor of the Fortress was blown out when the plane exploded. His parachute opened and he escaped with a sprained ankle. He was listed by the Air Force as S/Sgt. Alan B. Purdy. Villagers of Wargrave were convinced that the 'heroism, selfPsacrifice and cool aiming of the airmen saved the village
from beina wiped out. As it was, the bombs did practically no damage to the town.
The local chief rescue officer said he was cocvinced the airmen could have bailed out in plenty of time, as they had previously sent a radio distress call.
"In my opinion," he said, "the U.S. fliers deliberately stayed on board to reach the riverside field and unload their bombs before making a crash landing.
The proof is that although the river is only 60 yards wide, one bomb broke the river bank and landed in the water, and the rest landed in a straight line on both banks not more than 20 feet from the water, thus saving our lives. "I believe the aim would have been more accurate still if the explosion of the
plane had not marred the direction of the last three bombs."
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