BOMBERS FROM U.S. COULD HIT ANY TARGET SN RUSSIA

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23023, 13 August 1949, Page 5

BOMBERS FROM U.S. COULD HIT ANY TARGET SN RUSSIA

(N.Z.P A.—Reuter —Copyright.) (10.30 a.m.) WASHINGTON, Aug. 12. The United States Air Force disclosed it had conducted tests

proving that North American-based E. 36 bombers could reach any target in Russia. !

It said that on June 24 and 25,* a 8.36 Hew 7104 miles, 6000 of ■ which were flown above 40,000 ft., . at an average speed of 300 miles an hour.

The bomber thus stayed at an altitude of 40,000 ft. for 20 hours, whereas computations indicated that penetrations from the rim of Russia to any target and out again would require only 12 hours. The Air Force also disclosed that the 836 D version, with four jet engines, in addition to six piston engines, had been above 47,700 ft. Air Force officers testifying before the House Armed Services Committee recently said that bombers were safe from enemy fighters at 40,000 ft, General Curtis Lemay. the strategic air commander, testified that Russia evidently had no defence against the 836. “I doubt whether the enemy would even know the bomber was there until a bomb hit,” said General Lemay. He added that the chances of the 836 being intercepted and shot down by fighters was so remote that they were hardly worth considering.