GREAT AIR ACTIVITY

New Zealand Herald, Volume 82, Issue 25203, 16 May 1945, Page 8

GREAT AIR ACTIVITY

FLIGHTS OVER GERMANY REPATRIATING PRISONERS LONDON, May 14 Great air activity continues over Germany, many of the planes which formerly bombed strategic targets there are now being in the air on errands of mercy, and also for the purpose of showing ground personnel some of the results of their work, savs the British official wireless. In the past six days 27,000 members of the United States Eighth Air Force ground staff have inspected many of Germany's bombed cities from the air. At the same time, other United States bombers have flown thousands of released Allied prisoners of war to Britain, Approximately 18,850 Allied prisoners have been transported in this way in the last five clays, those rescued including Americans, Britons, Frenchmen, Poles, Belgians, New Zealanders and Australians. Landing grounds were prepared by the prisoners to enable heavy hombers to land,' and on Sunday 200 Fortresses flew to Barth (on# the Baltic, north of Berlin), landing 20 an hour for ten hours. Each bomber picked tip .30 men without cutting their motors before they took off on the last-lap of their IQOO mile flight. Supreme Headquarters, reports that contact, officers have arrived at Stalag 18C at St. Johann, in Austria, where 6347 British prisoners have been found. Next-of-kin are being informed as soon as the names are received. Approximately 540,000 French prisoners of war and deportees have so far returned to France, says a Paris mes- ; sage. There are 1.890,000 still in Germany. Repatriation centres on the fron- - tier are equipped to handle 45,000 persons fot repatriation every clay.

NAVY'S NEW TASK BATTLES IN FAR EAST LONDON, May 14 "Now that the war in Europe has closed, the Navy's main effort will be turned against Japan. The cease fire bugle in Europe is the signal for the sailor to pack his hag for the Far East, where long and hard battles still await him." . This statement was made by the First Sea Lord and Chief of the Naval Staff, Admiral of the Fleet Sir Andrew Cunningham, when receiving the honorary freedom of the Worshipful Company of Fishmongers in London. "At Home, even when the last U-boat has been rounded up," Sir Andrew proceeded, "there will remain the sweeping of mines to make the seas safe for the merchant ship and the fisherman. Tlie Navy's job is, therefore, far from done, and any rejoicing at our European victory must be tempered with 1 'ioughts for those of all our forces who are still fighting the war in the East."

CLEARING SEA MINES WORK TO TAKE 18 MONTHS LONDON, May 14 The clearing of mines in waters around the coasts of Europe will require about 18 months, which will be quicker than after the last war, in spite of the greater variety of mines to be swept, says the Daily Telegraph naval correspondent, Work was begun in the North Sea and English Channel areas after information was received from the Germans and work has been progressing in the Mediterranean since Italy's downfall. ' , The worst areas in Northern Europe will bo the southern part of the North Sea. the Baltic, the Skager-Rak and Die Belt. Safe passage of British warships through the Sknger-Rak to Copenhagen was a notable mineswoepiag feat, the sweepers working ahead of the cruiser Birmingham and her escort clearing more than 50 mines. The problem after the last war was the moored mines, but now all sorts of magnetic, acoustic and other forms of ground mines must be swept in addition to the moored variety and trawlers will not always be completely suitable. On the other hand, the correspondent states, we now possess a great many specially-built minesweepers with specialised gear, MR CURTIN'S HEALTH CANBERRA, May 15 The Prime Minister, Mr Curtin, is expected to leave hospital in a few days, following an attack of congestion of the lungs. JTe will rest for at least a month before resuming his duties.