AIR WARFARE IN WEST

Press, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 23743, 15 September 1942, Page 5

AIR WARFARE IN WEST

GERMAN OFFENSIVE PREDICTED NEW AIRCRAFT TYPES (Rec. 11.45 p.m.) NEW YORK, Sept. 14. ‘‘An air battle of unprecedented dimensions is apparently looming in western Euiope, with the course of the war possibly turning on the issue," says the Washington correspondent of the “New York Times." “Germany is now on the defensive against the Royal Air Force’s unparalleled night raids and the Fying Fortresses’ precision daylight forays. Some of the best squadrons of German fighters have been shifted to the Western Fropt, but have failed to combat these raids. “Germany’s next step must be a new blitz against Britain in an attempt to destroy the raiders and their nests. Increasing reports of new surprises by the Luftwaffe, such as a stratosphere bomber operating at 40,000 feet, cause little concern. Aviation circles point out that Flying Fortresses and Liberator bombers can fly at virtually the same altitude by cutting down bomb loads, stepping up engines, and dropping some armament. The principles of aerodynamics in heavy bomber construction and turbo-supercharged engines are not exclusive German secrets I “In addition, the newest types of American bombers have already made obsolete those at present operating in Europe. Experts assert, furthermore, that it is immaterial in the coming months whether bombers can operate at 40,000 feet or not, since autumn and winter weather will reduce the ceiling to 20,000 feet in order to get visibility for precision bombing. . “The British and American Air Forces have developed defence against night bombers to a greater degree than the Germans, using a secret method which was good enough to halt the last blitz and has since been improved. Therefore, the Luftwaffe presumably must direct its principal effort to daytime operations. “When they are forced to descend to, low altitudes to sight their objectives the German bombers will encounter three new aeroplanes on which combat reports are not yet available —the Spitfire Mark IX (the latest British hieh- ■ altitude fighter), the American P33 twin-engined heavy fighter, and the P47. a tiny fighter with a supercharged engine, capable of high climbing. British and American pilots who have tested these aeroplanes are confident they can shoot down the newest German bombers" , .. , The aeronautical writer pf the Dally Express’* says: “The Luftwaffe is sending special sub-stratosphere aeroplanes singly over Britain in daylight at a height Of 40,0-00 feet. They are on experimental flights, but some bombs have been dropped. “Bomb aiming is impossible from such a height. The main purpose so far seems to be photographic reconnaissance. , , , “The Germans are believed to be using a modified Junkers 86 equipped with ’hn experimental pressure cabin and turbo-supercharged Diesel motors. “This development follows the recent successes by Flying Fortresses over Europe, but the American aeroplanes attacked in daylight at no more than 25,000 feet." SIEGE OF KINHWA CHINESE OPERATIONS IN CHEKIANG (Rec, 8 p.m.) CHUNGKING, Sept. 13. The Chinese are continuing the siege of Kinwha. capital of Chekiang Province. Meanwhile, they have occupied Pukiang, 30 miles to the north-east, and recaptured Kufang. six miles to the west. A communique reports a minor action in the Kwangtung Province, near Chasan. , J . .. The Chinese forces have driven the Japanese back again to the western approaches of Kinwha, A few miles north-west, the situation round Lanchi is unchanged. The Chinese report that the autumn harvest has not been greatly affected by the war in Kiangsi Province. . "The Japanese soldiers in China, though still tough, are appreciably demoralised, and are no longer the dashing fighters who in 1037 crashed into China, intoxicated with the thought of easy conausst for the glory of the GodEmperor,” says the Chungking correspondent of the “New York Times. He ascribes the deterioration of spirit partly to growing doubts about ultimate victory and partly to effective Chinese propaganda to the Japanese, who are comp’etelv informed by handbills about Japanese reverses and growing Allied strength. MANDALAY BOMBED BY R.A.F. (8.0. W.) RUGBY, Sept. 13. A New Delhi communique says that the Royal Air Force bombed Mandalay on Saturday. Railway tracks and trucks were bombed and direct hits scored on rolling stock and railway buildings. Near Prome enemy steamers on the Irrawaddy were attacked. UNITED STATES WAR PRODUCTION “ GOOD, BUT NOT GOOD ENOUGH ” CRec 11 p.m.) NEW YORK. Sept. 14. The head of the War Production Board (Mr Donald Nelson), in a broadcast. asserted that American war production had increased 350 per cent, since the attack on Pearl Harbour, but not sufficient to turn the tide of battle in favour of the United Nations. That was a good record, but not good enough. ‘Tn this game there is no second prize,” he said. "We are playing for keeps. The United States is engaged in a fight to the death against the Axis. There is no place for Americans in Japan’s co-prosperity sphere or Hitler’s new order. For us they mean economic, political, religious, and personal slavery.” Marriage Regulation In Philippines.— A Cuban diplomat, who recently returned from Manila, described a peculiar Japanese way of pressing their “Asia for the Asiatics” programme. He said they were charging Filipinos 500 pesos for a licence to marry another Filipino, but two pesos for marriage with a Japanese.—Miami. September 14.