WANING POWER OF LUFTWAFFE

Dominion, Volume 37, Issue 199, 20 May 1944, Page 7

WANING POWER OF LUFTWAFFE

Effect Of Sustained Bombing PRODUCTION LOSS (By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright.) (Received May 19, 7.20 pan.) WASHINGTON, May 18. The sustained bombing of Germany had cut her aircraft production to onefourth of her normal output said, the Chief of the UjS. Army Air Forces, General Arnold, in a review of U.S. destruction of enemy aircraft since, Pearl Harbour and lher losses during the same period. “The present Luftwaffe combat strength is about the same as six months ago, but the Germans no longer have any worth-while reserves. The Germans now defend only targets they deem vital, for example, synthetic oil refineries, but even these occasional fighter defence forces number about 200 compared with the early days when as many as 400 lighters attacked our bombers.” Asked whether Germany could be bombed out of the war. General Arnold replied: “I do not know what an air force can do. There has never been an air force with the power we now can use against Germany.” Referring to the Pacific, General Arnold said: “We have increased our efforts and are striking from several directions. However, strategic bombing practised in Europe does not yet fit in in the Pacific. Long over-water flight is a factor. The problem of converting our war effort from Europe to the Pacific is tremendous. The difference in logistics is terrific. . The character of the planes and the training is not the same. The establishment of bases to accommodate the vast air strength we have in Europe will be a major problem.” General Arnold asserted that none of the Pacific problems was insurmountable; in fact, they would all be solved long before the assault took place. He admitted that the super Fortress 829 was one of the answers .to the Pacific problems, but refused to give details. “I would rather the Germans and the Japanese got the information the hard. way. The 829 programme involves the highest degree of secrecy.” SUPER-BOMBERS READY ' - NEW YORK, May 18. Super-bombers capable of cruising faster than 350 miles an hour at an altitude of over 35,000 feet and with a bomb load greatly exceeding the. present loads are coming off the production lines, says Brigadier-General Haynes, commanding general of the First Bomber Command, writing in the international “Aviation Year Book,” He adds that these bombers will soon be in operation. The mission of the new aircraft will be more strategical than tactical. Their range will be utilized to strike at the enemy’s resources and economy, to destroy industrial production and communications, and demoralize the civilian population. Inclement weather will help rather than hinder operations.