Pin-Point Bombings Aid Rapid Advance

Northern Advocate, 14 September 1944, Page 3

Pin-Point Bombings Aid Rapid Advance

(Spec.) BRUSSELS, Sept. 13. Attacks made by low-flying bombers and fighter-bombers against carefully pin-pointed targets made an important contribution to the rapid advance of the Allied armies -through France. The Germans had intended to fight on the Seine and Somme but. largely because of deadly attacks on enemy headquarters, there has been very great disorganisation in enemy administration. Since D Day, light bombers and fighter-'bombers. mostly of the Second R.A.F., have attacked no fewer than 450 German headquarters containing senior officers, many of whom were killed. One such attack at Lendelim, south from St. Lo, resulted in 14 high-ranking Germans being killed. In addition to headquarters, targets attacked have, been: (1) Bridges. (2) Radar stations. (3) Petrol and ammunition dumps. (4) Power stations supplying local railways. (5) Motor transport workshops. With the Luftwaffe helpless, the attacks were carried out practically at will.

Ripple Of Rockeis

One of the interesting air developments of the present campaign has been the success of the rocket-firing Typhoon. This aircraft originally was designed for a fighter, but it has proved most successful for strafing enemy armohr and strong-ly-held blockhouses. Typhoons work in close co-operation with the army, and some artillery commanders believe they are more accurate than gunfire. Each Typhoon carries eight rockets, which can wreak terrible damage in a few minutes. Typhoons usually make attacks at an average speed of 400 to 450 miles an hour, They may fire all eight rockets together or “ripple” them, that is, five pairs in quick succession, and a “ripple” of rockets” is devastating in effect.. There also is decided morale effect in addition to damage. When it rocket is fired it makes what is described as “roaring hissing.” and explodes with a noise like a shell. German prisoners confessed themselves so unnerved that some think that once rockets are used beyond the Rhine the war will soon be over, but how much reliance can be based on prisoners’ views is a matter of opinion. At any rate, the rocket Typhoon has proved an ideal tank-buster. Luftwaffe Morale Low

An indication of the present state of Luftwaffe morale is Allied pilots recently reporting that the Germans frequently bale out from their aircraft immediately they sighted Allied planes, and without either side firing a shot. Although they sometimes operate in large “gaggles” of 40 to 50, the Germans avoid a fight unless they have considerable superiority in numbers.