Besides the major bombing of enemy heavy industries, the R.A.F. waged a continual conflict against Axis war potential of a more ordinary description. The constant attacks against locomotives, trucks, barges, etc., meant that the enemy was faced by a stream of damaged road and rail vehicles and river craft into already overcrowded repair shops. The Germans must have found it difficult to organise repairs on anything like the necessary scale. The drawing below shows three types of plane often mentioned as being engaged in this form of nuisance attack.

The Hawker Typhoon (1)

This was the most powerful of the single-engine fighter planes. The 24-cylinder Napier Sabre engine with large radiator beneath (A) gave the plane a formidable appearance, which was well borne out by the punch power of the 4 wing mounted cannon (B). Twelve machine-guns were fitted on other models of this aircraft.

Two Typhoons are seen making an attack upon a German Dornier Do 217 E, which had been located whilst being prepared for operations. A petrol bowser (C) is being used to re-fuel the wing tanks with petrol, whilst maintenance platforms used by the ground crews to service engines and fuselage are seen in position (D).

Whirlwind Fighter Bomber (2)

This beautifully streamlined plane was powered by two R.R. Peregrine engines of over 800 hp each. The radiators were within the wings, the air intakes to them are seen at (E). The four nosed cannons were a feature. The highly placed tailpiece with Acorn fairing was characteristic. The pilot of the Whirlwind has dived low across a busy river estuary to attack an enemy cargo vessel which is taking on supplies from a river barge (G). Bombing attacks of this kind often smashed barge derricks, as seen here along with deck fittings, with resultant delay while cargoes were unloaded, and still further delay when repairs have to be undertaken.


Mustangs (3)

These planes had long been known as train-busters. The number of enemy locomotives put out of action due to the Mustangs reached a high figure. This, together with the attacks by heavy bombers on locomotive repair centres, had created a serious transport problem for the Germans.

In this attack Mustangs are seen firing their eight machine-guns into an enemy goods train. Two of the Mustang's guns are synchronised to fire through the propeller (H). When the bullets rip through the thin metal boiler skin they play havoc with the network of high and low pressure steam-pipes within. The Germans, started using flak trains to defend their rail systems. They consisted of 88-mm and smaller guns mounted on railway wagons. One of the smaller, quick-fire guns is seen at (J).