RAID EYE-WITNESS IN BREMEN

Dominion, Volume 34, Issue 109, 1 February 1941, Page 11

RAID EYE-WITNESS IN BREMEN

Sailor’s Description RECENT IMPRESSIVE ATTACKS

(British Official Wireless.) (Received January 31, 7 p.m.) RUGBY, January 30.

An interesting sidelight on the effectiveness of the British air raids on Germany, such as that carried out last night on Wilhelmshaven, is thrown by an interview in the Stockholm newspaper “Arbetaren” .with a sailor who has paid regular visits to a German port. He said: “The English air raids have been really efficient during the last months. Previously the traces of bombing at Bremen were practically invisible and air raids were rare, but on my return there in December changed conditions were noticeable —bomb destruction was everywhere and the alerts were sounding regularly every night.

“The necessity to remain in port for one month discharging and loading proves the difficulties that were created by the bombing. At the same time tlie Germans have a wonderful capacity for sjieedily removing traces of the bombing.

“During one attack a Finnish steamer sunk and my boat was damaged, though it was able to go to Sweden for repairs.

“The population takes tlie bombing stoically, but the Britisli air raids are producing a psychological effect, as tlie people are commencing to feel a curious admiration for Hie English, who in spite of Hie deadly bombing still return witli ever-increasing force. Tills admiration Is slowly changing toward doubt of tlie reliability of tlie German bulletins. “Questions are being asked how tlie English possibly can increase tlie intensity of their air raids if their own damage is as great as is asserted. “Tlie English bombers show no respect for the German anti-aircraft defence, and it is possible to note their repeatedly returning to a certain position before dropping bombs.”

REASON FOR LULL Weather’s Effect On Nazi Raids INVASION ALARMISM I British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, January 30. Tlie anti-aircraft guns and German bombs which London heard last night broke tlie nine-day lull of after-dark enemy activity. Britisli bombers, which, though not forced to lie idle quite so long, have been less active recently, also carried out operations last night, over north-west Germany. Tlie Weather all over northern Europe lias been exceptionally bad since tlie beginning of tlie year, restricting tlie operations of both sides. Probably the weather Ims been less favourable to tlie Luftwaffe than to the Royal Air Force. The Germans have been hampered for some time by a heavy snowfall, and tlie subsequent thaw lias resulted in waterlogged aerodromes and tlie usual widespread fog which the Low Countries experience in such circumstances. Tlie absence of night bombers over Britain is thought by competent observers to be due to these circumstances, and reports that the lull was caused by tlie time taken to concentrate some 18.000 aircraft to form an invasion arninda are discredited as alarmist, together with equally unauthenticated reports of Germany’s 70.000 aircraft, half of which are lighters. Would Be Bad Tactics. Competent observers point out that oven if concentration is being made, and there is no evidence that it is. cessation of night bombing would not only be unnecessary tint would definitely be bad tactics. Regarding tlie reported existence of 35,000 fighters, it is pointed out that if Germany now has this number at her disposal a considerable proportion of them must have been in commission six months ago, in which event it is past explanation why they were not used against tlie R.A.F. over Dunkirk and in tlie subsequent opening phases of the air war over Britain. While there is no delusion as to tlie strength of tlie Luftwaffe and of the weight of tlie attacks which may .be expected as soon as the weather improves. it is thought that dissemination of these much-exaggerated figures is merely ptirt of the continuous propaganda pressure which Germany feels must he exerted somehow. BRITISH PROWESS Sir Cyril Newall’s Tributes LONDON, January 31. Speaking in Ottawa yesterday, Sir Cyril Newall, Marshal of tlie Royal Air Force, who is on his way to New Zealand to succeed Lord Galway as Governor-General, paid a tribute to tlie Royal Air Force. .He told Hie Canadian Press that Britain needed every ounce of assistance that tlie American continent could give to ensure a. Britisli victory. “Britain,” he added, "cannot lie defeated.” He also made reference to tlie King and Queen, stating that they were showing a tine example to their subjects by their conduct during Hie present crisis. In his opinion, Mr. Winston Churchill was one of the greatest figures in history. U.S. FACTORY’S ROYALTIES GIVEN TO R.A.F. (British official Wireless.) i Received January 31. 7 p.m.i RUGBY, January 30. Tlie Beaumont Birch Company of Philadelphia having decided to give the royalties it lias received for the exploitation of its plants in Britain to assisting Hie war effort, a first cheque for £209 lias been scut to tlie .Minister of Aircraft Production. Lord Beaverbrook. toward tlie purchase of a Spitfire. ANTI-GAS HELMETS FOR BRITISH BABIES i British official Wireless.) (Received January 31, 7 p.m.) RUGBY. January 30. I'he .Minister of Home Security. Mr. Morrison, stated in tlie House of Uo:i. moils thill liis department had issued about 1.250,000 anti-gas helmets for babies.