RANGE OF U.S. BOMBERS

Press, Volume LXXXIX, Issue 27048, 25 May 1953, Page 3

RANGE OF U.S. BOMBERS

“Could Penetrate All Soviet Defences” <N.Z. Press Association— Copyright) (Rec. 10 p.m.) NEW YORK, May 23. General Nathan Twining said tonight that there could be little doubt that united States atomic bombers could penetrate the best defences the Soviet Union could devise and destroy basic support for the Soviet war machine. But General Twining, the next Chief of Staff of the Air Force, warned that the United States Government must face one fact—that the growing Russian atomic stockpile might -soon be sufficient to cripple American industry if the new Soviet long-range air force could deliver it.

He said that in the event of an attack by Russia, only the Air Force’s long-range bombers couud hit all the Soviet targets that would have to be hit. Even the most elaborate and expensive air defence erected by the Russians could not halt an atomic attack mounted by adequate numbers of high Performance planes with skilled crews. There was no doubt that America’s large atomic stockpile “could destroy installations and facilities vital to the Soviet war machine,” General Twining said. The first nation to-produce atomic-powered bombers in quantity would have a tremendous advantage. He announced that the United States Force will send its first wing ot S'. . atomic bombing Stratojets to Britain next month for training purP°?es The unit chosen has 45 of the 600 miles an hour bombers. They will be stationed in Britain for three months.