SYSTEMATIC PROGRAMME

Evening Star, Issue 25171, 10 May 1944, Page 3

SYSTEMATIC PROGRAMME

ONLY FIRST STAGE OF OFFENSIVE FORCING STATE OF SIEGE ON GERMAN ARMY (Rec. 12.45 p.m.) LONDON, May 9. " The Allies' non-stop blitz on the railways of Western Europe is only the first stage of the unparalleled offensive, states Colin Bednall, the ' Daily Mail' aviation writer. "This offensive." ho says, " is designed to, force a state of siege on the German army in the expected invasion battle- areas. Aided by a large and efficient repair organisation the enemy has thus far succeeded in getting at least one or two lines running through the bombed rail junctions shortly after the attacks. Despite the terrific battering of marshalling yards in Paris, for example, the French capital is still fairly well served by main line railways, but dislocation of the rail system is only the beginning of the paralysis the Allied air forces have yet to cover in their long and systematic programme of covering the enemy's entire communications. By the time the programme is well utider way the nights will be shortening to such an extent that the enemy's chances of movement under cover of darkness will be small. Thus far there have been virtually no assaults on road communications. These may come late on the list. Another form of transport not yet directly attacked is air transport. The Germans are expected to mr.ke skilful use of this mode of transport.

" Yesterday's reports of more successful naval air arm surface attacks on coastal convoys shows intensification of the long campaign against this third important branch of enemy transport—sea haulage." To-day's offensive began with an attack by nearly 2,000 bombers and fighters against the yards at Liege, Thionville, and Luxembourg and eight aerodromes. Five enemy iplanes were shot down by American fighters, and six. by American bombers. Seven fighters are missing from these operations. After this big operation Mitchells and Bostons strudk at the railway yards at Valenciennes. Visibility was so good that one navigator, a New Zealander, Flight-sergeant Bert Durrand, of Wellington, saw market day in full swing, with stalls and people in the market place at Roullers, in Belgium. He reported: " None of the people seemed the least perturbed by us." He added that great volumes of (black smoke rose up 9.000 feet after the attack against the target, with bright red flames in their midst.

In a combined operation United States Thunderbolt fighters. Thunderbolt fighter-bombers, Marauder medium bombers and Havoc light bombers joined forces late this moraine to wage an all-out assault against military objectives in the Pas de Calais area.