DAMAGING BLOWS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 28 October 1940, Page 5

DAMAGING BLOWS

STRUCK BY BRITISH BOMBERS AGAINST WAR INDUSTRY IN GERMANY. MANY FACTORIES PUT OUT OF ACTION. (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, October 25. Speaking at the Oxford University Liberal Club, the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Economic Warfare, Mr Foot, explained the close relationship between economic warfare and aerial bombardment. Both were directed at the destruction of the sources of enemy power, and the Ministry advised the Air Ministry on the targets which it was most useful to bomb. Mr Foot stated that 90 per cent of Germany’s synthetic oil capacity had been bombed. Eighty per cent of her crude oil and refining capacity had also been bombed, and was either out of action or working under great difficulties. Her aircraft industry had also received attention, and there was reason to believe that the number of new aircraft coming forward had been considerably reduced.

German transport had been systematically attacked, and all this bombing was part of a carefullyplanned scheme designed to inflict the greatest damage to and disorganisation of Germany’s war industries and supply system. If the British bomber crews were to drop their bombs indiscriminately, or from such a great height as to make accuracy almost impossible, they would be defeating their own /ends. By their control of raw materials at the source by naval patrols and aerial bombardment, they w r ere striking continuously at the Nazi industrial and economic machine. An analysis of the R.A.F. activities in the week ended October 25 shows 39 raids against ports, docks and shipping, 27 on railway objectives, eight on oil plants and refineries, five against public utility establishments, as well as a large number on aerodromes and seaplane bases. Consistent attacks were carried out despite extremely unfavourable weather and at a’ cost of only 10 aircraft.

The principal places visited included Berlin, which experienced three raids during the week, bringing the total number so far delivered to 23. Hamburg was raided four times and the Lunen aluminium factory was raided twice. Daylight raid targets included Ostend, Boulogne, Gravelines and Calais in the programme. The, longest flights included attacks on the Fiat motor works in Turin and Sesto San Giovanni. MEANS OF PROTECTION SOUGHT BY THE NAZIS. STEEL NETS OVER FACTORIES. STOCKHOLM, October 25. The Berlin correspondent of the “Afton Bladet” says that though the Royal Air Force last night dropped some high-explosive bombs, the bombing was done apparently mainly with 1 incendiary bombs. Many fires were started, great glares appearing in the sky. The Berlin correspondent of the Associated Press says that German engineers are doing their utmost to devise the most efficient method of protection of military targets. They are experimenting with huge steel nets over factories and similar buildings, designed to explode the bombs above the structures. MESSAGE FROM KING EXPRESSION OF SYMPATHY WITH FRENCH. LONDON, October 26. It .is authoritatively stated that his Majesty sent a message to Marshal Petain with an expression of encouragement coupled with 'sympathy for the suffering of the French. His Majesty also expressed complete confidence in ultimate victory, in which France would share.

LOSSES OF PLANES SINCE OUTBREAK OF WAR. (Received This Day, 10.40 a.m.) LONDON, October 27. The Air Ministry has announced that plane losses from the outbreak of war to midnight of October 25 are:—British, 1,552; German, 4,850, and Italian, 221.