AIR FORCES' PART

Evening Post, Volume CXXXVII, Issue 22, 27 January 1944, Page 5

AIR FORCES' PART

THE NETTUNO LANDINGS

Rec. noon. RUGBY, Jan. 26. The part which the air forces played in the Nettuno landings was discussed by an R.A.F. commentator today, iie pointed out that the Allies had air supremacy amounting to command ot the air and that it took various forms in operation. First of all, it ensured supplies for the landing parties which [were essential for success; secondly, it prevented the enemy using their air intelligence service; thirdly, it had a tremendous effect in delaying, the movement of. enemy .forces attempting to crush the' attackr fourthly, it prevented enemy-con-yoys. proceeding; and fifthly, it destroyed - the enemy's organisation for controlling the battle. i All this was apart from the assistance of the air force in hiding allied movements and protecting the disembarkation. The extent of the air effort can be gauged from the fact that on two days 6f landing our fighters made- SOO .sorties. Much preparatory work was done in the Mediterranean area to achieve this result. In December the RAF. flew 1000 sorties daily and 1200 daily in January. In all, 29,000- sorties were made in the Mediterranean, in January and 11,000 tons of bomos were

dropped, of which 9000 tons fell in, Italy. From Britain in January 20,000 sorties were made, excluding the Coastal Com Viand, and 20,000 tons of bombs were dropped on Germany ana Europe.

The Allied losses in the Mediterranean in the past few months have been less than 1 per cent. The losses over Fortress Europe were under 5 per cent, during the same period.— 8.0. W. • ■-■■