"SAVED BY THE R.A.F."

Evening Post, Volume CXXXVI, Issue 58, 6 September 1943, Page 3

"SAVED BY THE R.A.F."

FREEDOM OF THE WORLD

RUGBY, September 4.

"I am convinced that the freedom of the whole world was saved by> the R.A.F. It has been an inspiration and a teacher. It was Britain's last defence in her darkest hour, and the air offensive of the R.A.F. was the first turning of the tide against the Axis." This remarkable tribute was paid by General Arnold, Chief of the United States Air Forces, who is at present visiting Britain. '

General Arnold discussed air warfare as a major factor in the fight against the Axis, and expressed the opinion that Allied heavy bombing attacks could disrupt Germany's communications and war production so that it would be impossible for her to conduct the war. The morale of the German people would be greatly lowered, he said, and when the time ctoe it would be far easier for the ground forces to make their formal entry into Germany. Vital targets must be bombed, whether they were in Germany or not. "We have to destroy these objectives," he said. "War is a brutal thing and we cannot pull our punches when there are important military objectives which must be destroyed. ' The Germans are going to do everything in their power to stop our heavy bombers, and I am going to do everything in my power to send them over, whether they use fighters, cannon, or rockets."

The general referred to the damage done to Hamburg, and-said that if the same thing happened to Berlin and to a few more German cities, they would have such a terrific problem to maintain the morale of citizens that it would affect the armed forces.

. General Arnold said it was possible that the fighter-bomber would be the best light bomber of the future. Hitler was said to be moving vital industry beyond the reach of the Allied bombers, but when there was the need to reach deeper into Germany, new bombers would be ready for the job. "Firstly, supremacy in the air, and then a crushing invasion by land and sea. That is the time-table of victory," he concluded. "So far, we are on schedule."—B.O.W.