AIR OFFENSIVE

Manawatu Standard, Volume LXIV, Issue 38, 13 January 1944, Page 2

AIR OFFENSIVE

AUGURY OF BIGGER BLOWS. (Special Correspondent.) (Roc. 1.30 p.m.) LOMX)JN, Jan. 12. The claim that U.S.A.A.F. Liberators and Fortresses, accompanied by fighters, fought one of the biggest air battles of the war over Germany on Tuesday indicates the growing, strength of the daylight offensive. Jt is the forerunner of what can be expected. One of the most important factors in the coming months will be the weather. Meteorologists in Britain will probably be among the most consulted groups of people in the country Given suitable weather, the UiS.A.A.F. will be able to hammer strategical targets with precision bombing by day, while at night the 11 A F. heavy bombers continue area bombing If the weather is unfavourable then the pre-invasion disruption of Germany will he a protracted business. Jt might be commented here that little attention need be paid to German forecasts of when the invasion will begin. They are ranging between "immediately" and "April", the purpose of which is propaganda to trv to confuse the minds of the Allied Nations' populations and cause discontent if an "immediate" attack is not forthcoming. • A feature of the Luftwaffe to-day is the great number of fighters it now nossesses. They outnumber its bombers and by far the greatest proportion of these fighters are based against Britain. There is also a stronc force in Austria. These lighters can be relied on to give firm opposition. They are at present being used sparingly, concentrating against attacks on important targets, which accounts for the reports from tune to time of the absence of onnnsition. Tlipv wi'l need to conserve their energies for the Allied Air Forces are still in the stage of "working up. whilfl ho raids against Sofia indicate that the Mediterranean bombing force is beginning to get under way. MORE INVASION SIGNS.

Another indication of the Allies' preparations is given in the news of the assembly in Britain by British and American soldiers of vast quantities of railway rolling stock to use in the invasion. It is estimated that 50 miles of new rolling stock will be ready on the day of the invasion. They arc constructed trom prefabricated parts brought from America. The trains aro fitted with British and'Continental gauges. They aro made up of 40-ton refrigerator trucks, tank tars, troop trucks, gun trucks, and machinery to build roads and bridges. It is also stated that Britain and the United States have ton million tons more of shipping than a year ago, which will have an important bearing on the invasion. While the building up of air, land and sea forces is going on steadily and the High Command is perfecting its plans, it seems that the chief query overhanging all the preparations may be summed up in the word "weather," and the vagaries of the English weather in the immediate months ahead should be borne in mind in attempting to assess when General Eisenhower will name zero hour.