AIR POWER IN EUROPE

Press, Volume LXXIX, Issue 23972, 12 June 1943, Page 5

AIR POWER IN EUROPE

EXPANSION OF U.S. FORCES

DOUBLE STRENGTH BY OCTOBER (N.Z. Press Association—Copyright) (8.0. W.) RUGBY, June 10. The rapid expansion of the United States Bth Air Force in Great Britain was indicated to-day by Major-General Ira C. Eaker, the commander. ‘‘Roughly, I should say that the size of the force has increased from 15 to 30 per cent, monthly,” he said. “It has more than doubled since March and the size of the present force will be doubled between now and October. It is becoming a considerable force and we can look forward with great assurance to the happy day coming during the present summer when we will be able to bear our full share ol the load.”

Major-General Eaker suggested that the Allies had been engaged in the early phases of testing the effects of aerial bombardment. Before the summer was over the Allies would have enough air strength to draw the experiment to a close. During May there were 4100 Allied sorties against the enemy or enemyoccupied territory, said Major-General Eaker. About two-fifths of the sorties were by heavy bombers, slightly over half by fighters, and the remainder by medium bombers and miscellaneous aeroplanes. A total of 19 targets were attacked by heavy bombers and 2800 tons of bombs were dropped. United States losses were 62, and United States aircraft destroyed 359 enemy aeroplanes, probably destroyed 93, and damaged 176. In addition, nine fighters were lost, compared with 35 of the enemy destroyed or damaged.

The United States Air Force was able to put about 200 aeroplanes on each raid. The largest raid, which was the maximum United States effort to date, had about 300 heavy bombers engaged, Day Bombing

Major-General Eaker said that the Americans desired to continue the day bombing, which they considered more effective because of increased accuracy. The Bth Air Force, in addition to the heavy bomber force, had a tactical air force which must be ready to support an invasion of the Continent. He added that they would never operate at a rate which would bring losses faster than they could be replaced until some critical situation arose requiring an allout effort, such as a landing on the Continent.

"Then,” he said, “we will throw in all we have—hour after hour and day after day if necessary—until it is used up to support an overall successful land, sea. or air battle.” The initiative was with the Allies, he continued, and they would launch attacks under conditions most desirable to their own purposes and most embarrassing to the enemy.

It had been found that a small formation of heavy bombers could saturate an area and carry through the destruction of anything within a circle 1000 feet in diameter. Such a formation could defend itself with normal losses of 5 per cent, or less. They - would, therefore, launch as many planned assaults as there were targets requiring destruction. Major-General Baker also expressed the opinion that the Axis air forces were at their peak, if not past it, while the Allies were still building up their strength. Nearly 60 per cent, of all the German fighters available were pinned down and were being busily engaged and kicked about by the Allied air forces on the Western Front.

The method of reciprocal lend-lease by the Royal Air Force to the United States Air Force is indicated in a review by the Air Ministry news service. As the United States Army Air Force builds up its strength in Britain, so the resources and experience of the Royal Air Force are placed at its disposal, also airfields. Many articles of food are given free. Two of the largest airfields and depots in the world have been especially constructed by the Air Ministry, along with headquarters for the United States Army Air Force. The Royal Air Force supplied the American task forces in North Africa with most of its radio location equipment, including many experienced personnel.

LULL IN AIR RAIDS

BAD WEATHER OVER EUROPE (Rec. 12.5 a.m.) LONDON, June 11. “Bad weather over Europe is the main cause for the lull in the Allied air offensive against Germany, which has been held up since May 29, just as the onslaught seemed to be getting into stride,” says the aviation writer of the “Evening Standard.” “People of Britain are wondering why.” “There arc reports that the weather is worrying the Germans too. They did not like the raids and now they do not like the lull. They think it points to something bigger. Maybe it does. The Royal Air Force is obviously building up to participate in the amphibious operations promised by Mr Churchill. Losses have little or nothing to do with the pause, although 252 night bombers were lost during the record attacks last month. The proportion of losses has not increased since 1942. in spite of stronger German defences.”

An Air Ministry communique states that in offensive operations over North, ern Fiance and Belgium on Thursday evening, Spitfires of the Fighter Command destroyed four enemy aircraft. Three armed trawlers off the Dutch coast were attacked and damaged. Three Allied fighters are missing. According to Helsinki newspapers, Goering is preparing a giant reprisal raid against Britain. It is also claimed that the Germans have a new longrange gun capable of shelling London.

JEWS IN HOLLAND

“GERMANS HAVE BEGUN STERILISATION ” (Rec. 9 p.m.) LONDON, June 11. The Germans have begun to sterilise Jews in Holland, according to Reuter’s Stockholm correspondent, who says that the first victims were Jewish husbands of childless, mixed marriages. Jews are given the choice of deportation to Poland or sterilisation. Several were taken from the Westerbork camp to Amsterdam and told, to make their choice. . . Dutch Church leaders have sent a joint protest to the German Commissioner (Seyss-Inquart), indignantly demanding the cessation of the practice. Dutch doctors have unanimously refused to collaborate in “this new infamy.” AIR RAIDS IN BURMA (Rcc. 11 p.m.) LONDON, June 11. The Royal Air Force in Burma yesterday attacked Rathedaung and Buthedaung, starting large fires. There were some big explosions. In the Arakan area, Japanese transports and river shipping were bombed and strafed by fighters on patrol. Kaladan was machine-gunned. All the Allied aircraft returned safely. School Uniforms Abolished.—A rationing order has been gazetted making it illegal for any Australian education establishment to require students to wear clothing of any spedfled type. This means that school uniforms will be abolished for the duration of the war.—Canberra, June 11.