U.S.A. AIR FORCE

Greymouth Evening Star, 17 June 1943, Page 5

U.S.A. AIR FORCE

ATTACKS AGAINST GERMANS

HEAVY LOSSES INFLICTED

WASHINGTON, June 16. The War Department released preliminary data demonstrating the rapidly increasing strength of the American air forces bombing Germany from England. In 18 raids over Germany, 11 of which occurred since May 14, a total of 571 German aircraft have been shot down, 187 probably shot down and 231 damaged, at a cost of 106 American planes. Operating in daylight at high altitudes, the Air Force flew 1600 sorties, including attacks on Wilhelmshaven, Cuxhaven, Bremen and Kiel, which cost only 34 planes, and caused vast damage to military objectives. SKIRMISH OVER THE SEA

RUGBY, June 16. Spitfires, protecting air and sea rescue aircraft which was picking up a pilot who had been forced to bale out to-day, shot down two of the type FW 190’s. During a fierce battle two Spitfires were shot down, one of the pilots being picked up by a highspeed launch. One pilot commented that the battle ranged from sea level to 4000 feet. Twenty Fockewulks took part in the attack.

IMPROVED HALIFAX

RUGBY, June 16. The latest version of the Halifax embodies numerous structural and aerodynamic improvements, which resulted in a great advance in performance. The earlier plane had a power-operated gun turret in the nose. This has been replaced by a large perspec nose. The removal of the turret will enable increased space to be made available for the navigator and bomb-aimer. The new nose permits improved distribution of equipment and an excellent view in all directions. A Marlin 22 engine replaces the Rolls-Royce Merlin 20, and added materially to the speed. The dorsal turret of two guns has been replaced by a Boulton Paul turret of four guns. Other alterations have added materially to armament and speed.

GERMAN DEMORALISATION. LONDON, June 16

A report to “The Times” says that a striking new propaganda element has been introduced in Germany. Generally described as “mobilisation of intellectuals,” its aim is to instruct the masses, particularly youths, and to prevent their infection by “disintegrating agitation” emanating from people who on their own initiative have managed to leave the most heavily bombed areas of west and north-west Germany. “Clearly,” says the report, “these early leavers are largely responsible for the wave of frankness about the extent ol damage caused by the bombings in recent months.” ~ , Recent reports from the Stockholm correspondent of the “Daily Telegraph” gave comprehensive reports ol the damage done to Berlin. “Berlin’s West End looks more like a battlefield than a city,” he says. “In the immediate vicinity of the Pragerplatz 57 big houses have been completely wiped out, so that Berliners have named the area ‘Sodom and Gomorrah.’ Morale is so bad that they chose a factory in this area for the scene of the latest pep-talk in whicn speakers declared: ‘Berlin workers, you are the Fuehrer’s pride. In his thoughts the Fuehrer is always with you ’ An eye-witness said that a voice in the back of the hall immediately answered: ‘He ought to be here now,’ at which there was laughter.” Discussing the tribulations of the bombed areas of west and north-west Germany, a reported of the Berlin radio said: “Even soldiers from the Eastern Front stand silent at the windows of trains traversing this devastated region. Here the war is nearer to the civilian and grips him. more closely even than the soldier in the front line. One wishes it were possible to bring some German families here for a day, even an hour. They would then not be so concerned abput their five or six-roomed, flats which they do not wish to share with anybody. Children here cannot attend school because those schools which are standing have been converted into emergency lodgings.” , The editor-in-chief of the Nazi Party News Agency has said: “It is time to purge the party of all its doubters and cowards. The Government and the party are not willing to tolerate critics any longer. Systematic grumbling is becoming dangerous. Germany is no longer in a position to be lenient.”

RATTLE BOMBS

LONDON, June 16. A number of new enemy rattle bombs, which German raiders dropped on one east coast town were fitted with delayed action mechanism. Some of the bombs exploded today. A railway porter was seen with three under his arm, but escaped unhurt, whereas one workman was killed and one was injured when they forced the door of a damaged building, and disturbed a rattle bomb.