AIR ASSAULTS

New Zealand Herald, Volume 81, Issue 24923, 19 June 1944, Page 3

AIR ASSAULTS

LIMITED BY WEATHER

TARGETS FOR FIGHTERS

HOMHEIJS HIT AIRFIELDS (Heed. S..VI p.m.) LONDON, J u lift 18 A .Supreme Headquarters communique says (hat air operations were sharply curtailed frwm dawn to mid-day, when bad weather obscured much of the battle area. Nevertheless, fighter-bombers and rocket-firing fighters attacked railway yards, motor convoys and horsedrawn vehicles at La Traverserie and strafed enemy machine-gun nests at Folligny. No »nerny fighters were encountered during these operations. Shortly after noon medium forces of heavy bombers, escorted by fighters, attacked seven enemy airfields in southern Normandy, 'three enemy planes were destroyed Two of our bombers and one lighter are missing. Other lighters destroyed n railway bridge across the Soinme canal. Coustnl Command planes this morning attacked enemy shipping in the Channel. The 11. A.F. Bomber Command's successful daylight onslaught against Le Havre on Wednesday was repeated on Thursday night against Boulogne under similar conditions of strength and time and for the same purpose—the destruction of E-boats, R-boats, torpedo-boats and minesweepers moored in the harbour. It is known that a number ol small German naval vessels were at Boulogne when the K.A.F. attacked. They were in pens, which, it is explained, are bunches of small piers to which the vessels are moored, and not roofed shelters.

PATIENCE NEEDED

Hl'Elili OK BAD WEATHEII ALLIED PROGRESS HINDERED (Rerd. 5.35 p.n>) LONDON, June 17 It is learned at Supreme Headquarters that no substantial Allied advance can be expected until the weather improves. Great as. has been the Air Forces' assistance, their full potential value luis not yet been secured. There have been ten days of the norst weather which Juno could have yielded, and in the circumstances the Allied position to-day is regarded as highly satisfactory. All the Germans can claim is an uncertain equilibrium. Both sides are putting in reserves, but, whereas the Allies are fighting well within themselves and their reservoir of reserves is practically inexhaustible, the Germans are draining theirs rapidly. The weather on the beaches on Friday was described as the worst since D Day. There was a low ceiling of cloud and mist over the Strait of Dover. "While the battle ranges along the 80-mile front we are piling up our strength for a smashing blow," says the Fveninir Standard's correspondent with tlie 21st Arms Group, "Our big offensive. however, should not be expected to be launched in a hurry, tiiat. is not General Montgomery's way oi fighting battles He believes in intensive preparation Nothing will persuade , him to start an attack until he is ready, but when he does sirike he does so with everything he has got. His battle order is. 'Hit the enemy for six.' "

NAZI BATTLE STRENGTH

FOREIGN TROOPS INCLUDED

LONDON, June 17 Late reports on the strength of the German forces in the Normandy battle area, writes a correspondent, 1 indicate that the enemy has .'300,000 men, of whom 200,000 are fighting troops. His armoured strength is estimated at the equivalent of four panzer divisions. To keep his units in the west up to this strength, the enemy has been forced to use as much as 25 per cent of foreign troops. Information gleaned from prisoners of war indicates that the greater number of foreign troops are Russians. These troops cairie from "scorched" German-occupied areas -in Russia, and were given the choice between service in the German Army or starvation, Formations of troops recruited from Poland, Rumania, Georgia and Turkestan have also been encountered.' The fighting qualities of these foreign elements in the Nazi armies are described as "extremely low." Prisoners of war now in England total over 10,000. Four German divisions have been either virtually destroyed or seriously impaired in fighting efficiency.