NEW PHASE
OPENED IN AIR WARFARE IN EUROPE WITH BOMBING OF BERLIN. LUFTWAFFE UNDER TEST. (By Telegraph—Press Association —Copyright) LONDON, January 22. The bombing of Berlin has begun a new phase in air warfare in the European theatre. The intention of the R.A.F. raids, in addition to striking at German industry, is to attempt to divert the Luftwaffe from Russia and other theatres, and against Britain, thereby also testing
the Luftwaffe’s strength. In numbers, the German raid on London was paltry compared with the blitz days, and" far below the strengths of the R.A.F. night bombing attacks against Germany. It is therefore interesting to see how the Luftwaffe next switched on to daylight fighter-bombers. It is known that a fairly large force of fighters has been kept in Western Europe to counter the R.A.F.’s sweeps and daylight bombings, and that it is also used for night fighting. It seems likely that the limited bomber force used against London had a bad mauling, and that many of the aircraft probably were damaged or crash-landed in addition to those shot down, and that therefore, to maintain its propaganda, the Luftwaffe switched to fighter-bombers. These approached England flying at a minimum altitude to deceive the defences—in the same way as the R.A.F. approaches Europe in daytime—and then climbed when they crossed the coast and prepared for bombing. It is estimated that 130 enemy planes participated in the daylight raid, and that thirty made a dash for London while others patrolled over the sea, awaiting their return. The fact that fourteen were shot down and that only six reached London, indicated the strength of the defence. By not allowing the fighter escort to accompany the fighter-bombers, the Germans showed how they must still conserve their rationed forces facing Britain. The raid achieved no military object, but by hitting a school and killing children aroused intense anger.
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Wairarapa Times-Age, 25 January 1943, Page 5
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312NEW PHASE Wairarapa Times-Age, 25 January 1943, Page 5
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