BOMBING’S EFFECT IN REICH

Dominion, Volume 37, Issue 60, 6 December 1943, Page 6

BOMBING’S EFFECT IN REICH

Opinion Of Allied Air Authorities WINTER PROSPECT (By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright.) (Recived December 5, 10.45 p.m.) NEW YORK, December 4 t The bombing, of German-held Europe has been stepped up to such a degree that next spring’s second front attack may mean the occupation of territory already rendered almost useless to . the enemy, according to British and American air authorities in Washington, says the Washington correspondent, of the “New York Times.” These experts admit that landings may be difficult and costly, but believe that resistance will be at its last gapi as Germany will be already blockaded and hied to the point of collapse by bombers. ■ ■ They say that the current air attacks are almost tantamount to occupation, since the R.A.F. and the United States eir forces control the air over large areas, and thus the ground beneath. For exam-ple,-it was recently announced that 17 of the principal German industrial centres had been bombed out of commission. This means that “17 vertical salients have been driven into the heart of Germany. Sir William Welsh, head of the R.A.F. delegation to Washington/ said that these salients are not only occupied biit are’ebing “held.” in a third dimensional sense. The Allied air forces watch them till the Germans have expended the maximum amount of labour and material on their repair, and then again destroy them. Sometimes this cat-and-mouse game is preferred to all-out destruction, inasmuch as economists calculate that one 2000-ton raid destroys the entire work of 75,000 Germans for a single month, whereas it costs a month’s work by 18,500 men to mount the attack, for which reason the Allies are willing to trade on this basis. Cause of Inflation. The economists have also discovered that the bombings are causing inflation in Germany by destroying consumer goods and the means of making them, but not purchasing power. This leads to an increased demand for paper money, which people keep in their pockets in case they have to evacuate their homes. Since the beginning of this summer’s heavy attacks, the German note circulation has jumped to nearly 30,000.000 Reichmarks. Sir William Welsh explained that Germany is being destroyed on a rigid system of priorities, with Berlin high on the list because of its four aircraft factories. However, the man task of destroying German aircraft factories elsewhere has been left to the United States Air Force. Sir William said that British air circles were not alarmed by threats Of reprisals because the Germans “have neother escape nor remedy.”

He added that Britain has developed her capacity for mounting large-scale raids over a period of years, whereas Germany, pinning her faith on a quick war. has delayed too long to be able now to develop a bomber force capable of retaliating on equal terms.