LUFTWAFFE JET FIGHTER

Dominion, Volume 37, Issue 202, 24 May 1944, Page 7

LUFTWAFFE JET FIGHTER

Possibly Being Kept In Reserve BELIEVED READY (By Telegraph.—'Press Assn. —Copyright.) (Received May 23, 8.30 p.m.) LONDON, May 23. There is reason to believe that the Messerschmitt Combine is producing a jet-propelled single-seater fighter known as the Schwalbe (swallow). It is reported to be already in service with at least one squadron, says the aviation correspondent of “The Times. The enemy may be keeping it in reserve as a surprise weapon. There are also rumours of a Helnkel jet-propelled fighter. , TRIAL PROJECTILES Germans Experiment On Baltic Coast (From Godfrey Blunden, Special Correspondent.) LONDON, May 13. Fragments of a supposed secret German jet-propelled weapon which nave been found in Sweden this week indicate that the weapon is still in the expert mental stage. It has been known ter some time that the main weakness at this weapon, has been the difficulty o£ directing its path by radio. Ever since hlie R.A.F. bomber 1 ecne munde, where the original laboratory was located, the experiments have been carried out on the Danish island ot Bora holm, in the Baltic. ’ Trial projectiles have been fired out into the Baltic Sea to test range, altitude and radio control. Objects discovered at the village at Brosarp, near Kivik (Malmo district of Sweden), are believed to be the remains of a projectile which was fired at Boraholm and which got out of control. Brasarp is about 40 miles from Bornholm. Though Allied experts have not seen the fragments, Swedes say they indicate the projectile is wingless and without a Kivik residents reported having heard a loud noise and noticed a strong smefl of benzine in the vicinity, The crater made by the fragments is Oft. wide and 3ft. deep. A large metal object resembling a mine was found 75 yards from fhe crater. On the basis of this evidence, it is believed the projectile was not charged with explosive. So far it has not been possible to obtain any estimate of Hie probable weight of explosive which would be in the projectile when it was charged. It is believed experimental projectiles of all sizes have been fired at Bornholm. It has also been impossible to discover whether they were launched from aircraft, like glider bombs, or shot up like rockets,