IMPORTANCE OF LAND FORCES

Evening Star, Issue 24324, 13 October 1942, Page 3

IMPORTANCE OF LAND FORCES

AIR STRENGTH NOT DECISIVE LONDON, October 11. “ Some British and American military writers are trying to prove that aviation is the sole force capable of achieving victory, and that land operations can be replaced by air attacks,” writes-Major-general Zhuravlev, who is a high member of the Red air force, in an article in the ‘ Red Star.’ “ This is devoid of all sense of reality. The war will be decided by armies of millions equipped with land as well as air arms. The air arm must accomplish the task in co-ordination with land forces. “ The Luftwaffe’s failure in the Battle of Britain and at Stalingrad proves that an air force cannot secure a decision. Aviation is unable to reach full victory on any front, and cannot even create a front.” Major-general Zhuravlev said the Italian authority. Signor Dquet, had declared that 3,000-bomber raids would smash any city’s resistance, but_ Stalingrad was resisting after receiving the equivalent of 9,000-bomber raids. The Moscow correspondent of ‘ The Times ’ says Major-general Zhuravlev was replying in particular to Americans who are giving publicity to the view that Germany can be smashed'from tlie air.