LUFTWAFFE’S DECLINE

Grey River Argus, 5 July 1944, Page 5

LUFTWAFFE’S DECLINE

Lack of Oil and Planes AMERICAN DISCLOSURES (Rec. 9.50) WASHINGTON, July 4. General Arnold, U.S. Air Force Chief, at a press conference, said: Allied bombing has reduced the production of the German oil refineries by approximately 70 per cent, and of the German aircraft by 66 per cent. The Luftwaffe’s weakness was demonstrated when it ignored great convoys crossing the English Channel, and the subsequent concentration of men and materials on Normandy beach-heads. These , constituted some of the greatest targets in aviaton history. * Many bombing missions are now unopposed by enemy fighters. t Even critical installations are not defended by more than 100 fighters. The “New York Times” Washington correspondent says: General Arnold indicated that there was at least a possibility that the Luftwaffe would never again fight effectively. He disclosed that the air force had received information that the Luftwaffe and also the rest of the German mechanised forces were being rationed on oil.