Maas River bridge at Roermond (Ops 193). River bridge at Venlo (Ops 194). (Ops 240) Accession Number: F02577

Description

Operational Film No. 193, Maas River bridge at Roermond 28 October 1944. Medium bombers of the 2nd Tactical Air Force (TAF) scored a success of major importance when they destroyed a large road bridge over the river Mass at Roermond in Holland this morning. The Mitchell and Boston bombers took full advantage of good weather for which they have been waiting and crews watched at least three sticks of bombs strike the centre of the bridge which collapsed. An officer, navigating a Mitchell of the Royal Dutch Air Squadron said, "I saw flares all over the center of the bridge which is roughly 250 yds long. As we turned away, the smoke cleared and I saw that one of the spans had toppled over into the water". An Australian navigator on his seventeeth operation said that it was the most clear-cut success he had seen. This achievement has eliminated one of the Germans' most important supply routes in East Holland. Operational Film No. 194, river bridge at Venlo, 28 October 1944. Mitchells and Bostons also attacked another bridge carrying a road and railways over the river at Venlo, Holland. Bombs were seen to fall in the target area and destruction was caused in the railway yards.

Details

Conflicts

• Second World War, 1939-1945

Units

• RAF Bomber Command
• Royal Air Force

Tags

• North American B25 Mitchell
• Bridges
• Bombardment