GERMAN SPIRITS SAGGING

Dominion, Volume 37, Issue 229, 24 June 1944, Page 7

GERMAN SPIRITS SAGGING

Flying-Bomb Sequel REICH BACK FROM FAIRYLAND (By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright.) (Received June 23. 8.45 p.m.) LONDON, June 23. The initial enthusiasm in Berlin regarding the flying bomb, and the propaganda fairy-tales that London and the rest of south-east England were in flames, have sagged to sober apprehension, says Reuter’s correspondent iu Zurich, Switzerland. The Germans regard the renewed air raids on German towns after the long interval as provoked by the use of the flying bomb. “La Suisse’s” Berlin correspondent says: “The man in the street is asking, ‘What will happen to us now? What revenge will the English take’:* The Germans know their new weapon is incapable of preventing Allied bombing.” The Berlin correspondent of the “Journal de Geneva” says (he German capital is so stunned after the'latest Allied raid that all other events, even the situation on the invasion front and the effects of the (lying bomb, have dwindled to relative unimportance.

The Home Secretary, Mr. Morrison, told the House of Commons today that so far there had been little damage of national from the flyingbombs. and public utilities were only slightly affected. The attacks had no material effect on the war effort. It is confirmed that probably one-quar-ter of the total number of flying-bomb inst-Uations prepared in France have been over-run on the Cherbourg Peninsula. and it is also confirmed that those were never used, says the “Daily Mail’s” aviation correspondent. There is little change in the number of instal'ations in the Pas de Calais area which the enemy can employ. The ones being used there are of a new type which are more difficult to locate from the air than the original pattern. Part of every installation is underground, leaving the target little bigger than a householder’s garage. It can be stated that if the enemy’s entire line of flying-bomb ‘installations had been equally well concealed from air attack the invasion nlans might have been seriously prejudiced, but the danger has now passed, specially after the fall of the Cherbourg installations facing the British naval bases, the correspondent adds. Bomb’s Inventor.

Professor Oberth. a comparatively unknown scientist, is mainly responsible for developing the flying bomb, says the “Daily Mail’s” Stockholm correspondent. Two years before the war Oberth called on Kesselring, who was then a colonel in the German Air Ministry, and showed him a mass of blueprints. Kesselring reported to Goering, after wnich Oberth was given the run of the Wehrmacht laboratories with a panel of research workers, radio men and aeronautical designers at his disposal. The flying bombs were manufactured in bits and pieces all over Germany in small factories and even industrial homes by German and foreign workers, many of whom had not the remotest idea what they were making. HIGH LOSS RATIO Larger Type Being Used (By Telegraph.— Press Assn —Copyright • LONDON, June 22. A high proportion of the fiying bombs sent over to southern, England from the French coast today were destroyed by fighters. An “Evening Standard” correspondent on the south coast says: “For the second day in succession, many flying bombs were destroyed before they could reach inland districts. Today's total was the highest percentage yet scored. “The general tactical picture of the flying bomb battle is this: They are being systematically and scientifically destroyed in the coastal areas and over the English Channel. Every day the R.A.F. increases its score of kills. A few break through the first defence line, but a number of these are later destroyed inland. The fight begins from the launching bases in northern France, and isn’t finished till the flying bombs are either destroyed or reach their maximum range. “A.T.S. girls plot the flight of flying bombs across southern England, and fighters are constantly on patrol. It can now be said, as far as this area is concerned, that the flying bomb stands a poor chance of breaking through. “The Germans are using a larger type of flying bomb. It has a higher speed, and presumably has a heavier Ibomb load. They launch the heavies in small numbers during a general attack. Despite their greater speed, our fighters overtake and destroy them.” Two major incidents as a result of flying bombs occurred in southern England within one hour today, when a number of people were killed and a large number were injured, and several were trapped. Streets suffered from blast; a few houses in one area were completely demolished. and hundreds more were wrecked by blast. Attacks on Bases. United States Fortresses and Liberators attacked flying-bomb launching platforms in the Pas de Calais area this morning, ami in the middle of the afternoon Allied bombers poured out in the direction of the flying-bomb bases in the same area. The bombers, flying in extended formation, stretched out over the Straits of Dover from coast to edast. An umbrella of fighters provided protection. Observers on the English coast saw German anti-aircraft guns put up a terrific barrage. Berlin radio stated that the flying bombs have been equipped with incendiaries, increasing their destructive power. The radio quoted a military spokesman as saying that harassing fire against London has been intensified by the introduction of “fire sheaves,” which are simultaneous salvoes from the maximum number of batteries.