LATE MESSAGES

Greymouth Evening Star, 17 May 1943, Page 5

LATE MESSAGES

BATTLE OF GERMANY.

LONDON, May 16

The unprecedented activity of the .Allied air forces operating from Britain and elsewhere last week is no longer regarded in London as merely strategical bombing, but as the Battle of Germany itself. Every sortie, whether by big bombers or singleseater fighters, has a single objective. The enemy’s whole internal structure is being methodically wrecked, in preparation for the final concerted assault from land, sea and air. Recent shattering blows against German communications—the cutting of the main military arteries —can be expected to become more intensive. The Berlin radio says: Our fighter pilots and crews are living beside their machines, ready to take off day or night. Our ack-ack crews are also hard pressed. They must ever be on the alert for surprises, especially from powerful four-engined bombers which do not hesitate to attack our batteries, even at day time. Every man must be now at his post to meet in hard, heavy engagements any enemy onslaught against Europe. RUMANIAN OILFIELDS.

LONDON, May 16

The “Daily Mail’s”- Stockholm -corresoondent reports that the German Army is taking over the defences of the Ploesti oilfields. Flak guns guarding the area, formerly manned by Rumanians, are now manned by Germans. Germany’s fear of heavier Russian air raids and sabotage, and more especially the paratroop attacks. are reported to be responsible for the change.

JAP. RAID FAILURE.

NEW YORK, May 16

Warhawks yesterday shot down. 15 and probably destroyed 10 more Japanese planes raiding the American base at Yunnan aerodrome, Kunming, says the Associated Press correspondent with the U.S.A.A.F. Sixty planes, including 35 bombers, participated in the raid, which was the biggest thus far against the American base in China. Inaccurate bombing caused heavy casualties to civilians too near the target, but only one American was slightly wounded. One Liberator was destroyed on the ground. KANSAS TORNADOES. FORT-RILEY* (Kansas), May 16. A series of tornadoes swept through the Kansas River Valley on Saturday, extensively damaging the , cavalry renlacement damaging Fortriley, and injuring 200 soldiers. Half-a-dozen towns were extensively damaged.