PRELUDE TO INVASION

Wairarapa Times-Age, 1 March 1943, Page 4

PRELUDE TO INVASION

INTENSIVE ALLIED AIR RAIDS COMMENT ON RECENT OPERATIONS. SOFTENING UP PROCESS. (By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright) (Received This Day, 11.15 a.m. LONDON, February 28. The non-stop, round the clock, aerial onslaught on Germany and occupied Europe, which the Allied air forces opened on Wednesday night, may be the softening up process for an early Allied land invasion of Europe. This is the opihidh of observers in London. The “Sunday Express” says the raids ai*e likely to go on increasing in intehsity and “may be taken as the beginning of an active invasion.” The “Express” diplomatic correspondent says the attacks are aimed mainly at vital transport and production centres and are intended to prepare Europe for a land assault. It is believed in some quarters that a definite Allied land action will not be long delayed. The Press Association’s air correspondent says this terrific onslaught may'presage the “storm of bombing” which Air Marshal Harris promised the Germans nine months ago. The “Sunday Express” reports intense German military preparations going on in France, in expectation of an early Allied invasion. The tension in German garrisons has been doubled since a reconnaissance revealed “mysterious preparations at British ports.”