DEVASTATION OF CITIES

Press, Volume LXXIX, Issue 23985, 28 June 1943, Page 5

DEVASTATION OF CITIES

NEW EVACUATION ORDER TOWNS OP WESTERN GERMANY (N.Z. Press Association—Copyright) V LONDON, June 25. The Allied air offensive has become so devastating that the German Housing Director (Dr. Ley) has ordered the evacuation from western Germany of all the superfluous population. The order includes women, children, veteran workers, invalids, and the aged and infirm. "The housing shortage is only one of the many problems resulting from the British and American raids,” said a German commentator, Behr, speaking on the Berlin radio. “These terror raids are the topic of conversation everywhere. In factories, offices, workshops, and barracks alike everyone who has seen the ruined streets in the west realises that all our careful planning is completely upset by the extent of the destruction. Emergency and temporary measures must suffice. Nobody will describe them as ideal, or perhaps even tolerable according to normal standards. I have seen four and five-roomed flats where three and four families are housed. It is becoming more evident that defence measures and the terrible and inevitable reckoning are now among the main preoccupations of our leaders.” Broadcasting on the Paris radio, Jean Paquis declared; “The battle for the Ruhr has become a second front. The Allied raids on western Europe, particularly the Ruhr, have become so violent that they are no longer extensive propaganda, but stark reality. The Allies at present speak less about invasion and it may be presumed that a landing has been called off for some time. The Allies intend that constant bombing shall force Germany and Italy to submit, but the European fortress is very different .from Pantelleria."

The aviation correspondent of the “Daily Express” estimates that the largest' raid on Elberfeld brought Bomber Command’s total weight of bombs dropped on the Ruhr since the great experimental battle started three and a half months ago to between 25,000 and 30,000 tons. The Royal Air Force has lost 532 bombers, and more than 3000 air personnel, many of whom must be prisoners, but the results have already exceeded expectations. “A mood of grim satisfaction spreads through the nation as the damage wrought by our air bombardment is appreciated,” states the “Daily Express” in an editorial. “Our satisfaction contains the joy of revenge. It is not the R.A.F. policy, but it is with the people. We have suffered cruelly and we still suffer from. bombing. It would be unnatural to see in the Ruhr’s agony no element of just retribution on the arrogant Germans, who launched this air war on the weak, and who squeal now when they get it back many times from a strong air Power.” Effect on Workers

“Rhinelanders are the best type of Germans, and they should ‘stick it better than those of any other place 'in Germany, but the continual Royal Air Force blitz is slowly but surelyhaving its effect,” states the Stockholm correspondent of the “Daily Telegraph.” “Lack of sleep is affecting factory workers’ efficiency. Breaking point is still some distance away, and there is no active movement to end the war, but morale is likely to become considerably worse when the dreaded winter comes and ram, snow, and icy winds begin to go through the roofless factories and windowless houses in western Germany.” Describing the devastation at Elberfeld, the Berlin radio stated: ‘ Smoke and flames are still rising from. the debris of destroyed houses. It is a picture of frightfulness and destruction than which nothing more horrifying can be imagined. Never must this be allowed to be forgotten. Bor many miles before reaching the town we met a stream of homeless refugees laboriously and painfully dragging themselves along The nearer we ap, preach the town the more frightful becomes the picture. The highway is dotted with bomb craters and crisscrossed by splintered trees, just like a battlefield. Biting smoke wafts against us from countless The town itself is covered with debris class splinters, and rubble. . Troops from the anti-aircraft batteries who had been in action against the raiders a few hours ago were drafted into the town after the all-clear to help ex tinguish the fires.’

OPERATIONS OVER FRANCE EXTENSIVE INTRUDER SWEEPS (Rec. 11.5 p.m.) LONDON, June 27. A number of formations of heavy bombers and Royal Air Force light bombers in daylight on Saturday attacked enemy airfields industrial targets in France. Some of the heavy bombers encountered adverse weather. Those which were unable clearly to identify their targets did not'drop their bombs. Most of the heavy bombers were not escorted and they had many combats, destroying a considerable number of enemy aeroplanes. Thunderbolts supporting other bombers _ also had numerous combats, shooting down three enemy aeroplanes. Many squadrons of Royal Air Force, Dominion, and Allied fighters took part in these operations. Five of our bombers and seven of our fighters are missing. One fighter pilot is safe. Enemy airfields in Northern France were again the targets for light bombers and fighter-bombers early on Friday evening. Typhoon bombers, attacking Bernay airfield, about 40 miles south of Le Havre, went through a gap in the clouds. Bursts were seen on buildings, hangars, and dispersal pens. One bomb fell on a large aircraft on the grounds and others fell near a twin-engined aircraft. Escorting Typhoon fighters described the bombing results as good. All got back safely. Other Typhoon fighter-bombers swept over the marshalling yards at Eu, near Le Treport. They were escorted by fighters. Hits were scored on the sidings and station. Visibility was exceptionally good. No enemy fighters were seen and all the aircraft returned safely. Bostons, with Spitfire escort, attacked an airfield at Abbeville. Royal Air Force Typhoons continued the daylight offensive over France on Friday, when a strong force raided the aerodrome at Caen in Normandy. Considerable damage was done and there were no British losses.

The New Zealand Typhoon Squadron, when escorting Typhoon bombers to the Abbeville airfield, destroyed two Focke Wulf 190’s, bringing up the squadron's score to 19J, states the special correspondent of the New Zealand Press Association. The Focke Wulfs were shot down by Squadron Leader Desmond Scott, D.F.C. and Bar, and Flight Lieutenant Arthur Umbers, of Dunedin, whose totals are now seven and a half and one and a half respectively. The United States War Department reports that battlefront performance of the P47 Thunderbolt indicates that it can outmatch the Focke Wulf 190. which is the best German aeroplane of that class. The first detailed report of the Thunderbolt’s performance is based on two consecutive days’ action over France, when P47’s shot down four and damaged two Focke Wulfs.