18/8/1943 8.- am. (dutch time) R. Robinson
The Allied occupation of Messina is complete.
British troops have joined the Americans in
the town. The 7th US Army and the 8th Army have
joined forces in the town. The occupation of
Sicily is complete. After 3 consecutive nights
of attacks on Italian targets our bombers have
been to Germany last night. In daylight
yesterday American heavy bombers went
to Germany penetrating deeper than ever
before into that country. A ball bearing
factory at Schweinfurt in Bavaria and the
Messerschmidt aircraft factory at
Regensburg near Czech border and on the
Danube were attacked.
The attacking forces went over in 3 parts
with a Thunderbolt and Spitfire escort.
Some of the planes flew to Northern
Africa over the Alps. Heavy opposition of
enemy fighters was met. Some 200 appeared
at a time attacking 4 abreast.
36 heavy bombers, 1 fighter bomber and
5 fighters were lost. Our Merodas
attacked enemy airfields in Northern France.
24 fighters were destroyed.
There were some enemy aircraft over England
|