AIR OFFENSIVE ON GERMANY

Southland Times, Issue 25691, 28 June 1943, Page 5

AIR OFFENSIVE ON GERMANY

Evacuation Order (Rec. 7 pun.) LONDON, June 26. The Allied air offensive is so devastating that the German housing director, Dr Ley, has ordered the evacuation from Western Germany of all superfluous population. The order includes women, children, veteran workers, invalids, aged and infirm. The aviation correspondent of The Daily Express estimates that the latest raid on Eberfeld brought the Bomber Command’s total weight of bombs dropped on the Ruhr since the great experimental battle started three and a-half months ago to from 25,000 to 30,000 tons. The Royal Air Force lost 532 bombers, more than 3000 air personnel, many of whom must be prisoners, but the results already exceed expectations. “A mood of grim satisfaction spreads through the nation as the damage wrought by the air bombardments is appreciated,” says The Daily Express in an editorial. “Our satisfaction contains the joy of rev&nge. It is not a R.A.F. policy, but it is with the people. We suffered cruelly and still suffer from bombing. It would be unnatural to see

in the Ruhr agony no element of just retribution on the arrogant Germans, who launched this air war on the weak and who squeal now when they get it back many times from the strong.” Broadcasting on Paris radio Jean Parquis declared: “The battle of the Ruhr has become a second front. Allied raids on western Europe, particularly the Ruhr, have become so violent that they are no longer extensive propaganda but stark reality. The Allies at present speak less about invasion and it may be presumed that a landing has been called off for some time. The Allies intend that constant bombing shall force Germany and Italy to submit, but the European fortress is very different from Pantellaria.” SAPPING OF MORALE

The Rhinelanders are the best type of Germans and should “stick it” better than those of any other place in Germany, but the continual R.A.F. blitzkrieg is slowly but surely having its effect, says The Daily Telegraph’s Stockholm correspondent. Lack of sleep is affecting the efficiency of the factory workers. While the breaking-point is still some distance away and there is no active movement to end the war morale is likely to become considerably worse when the dreaded winter comes and rain, snow I and icy winds begin to go through the roofless factories and windowless houses of Western Germany. SCENE OF DESOLATION Describing the devastation of Eberfeld Berlin radio says; “Smoke and flames are still rising from the debris of the destroyed houses. It is a picture of frightfulness and destruction than which nothing more horrifying can be imagined. Never must this be allowed to be forgotten. “For many miles before reaching the town we met a stream of homeless refugees laboriously and painfully dragging themselves along. The nearer we approach the town the more frightful becomes the picture. The highway is dotted with bomb craters and crisscrossed with splintered trees just like a battlefield. Biting smoke wafts against us from the countless fires. “The town itself is covered with debris, glass splinters and rubble. “Troops from the anti-aircraft batteries who have been in action against the raiders a few hours ago have been drafted into the town after the all-clear to help to extinguish the fires.”

HOUSING SHORTAGE “The housing shortage is only one of the many problems resulting from the British and American raids,” said Dr Behr, over the Berlin radio. “These terror raids are the topic everywhere, in factories, offices, workshops and barracks alike. Everyone, who has seen the ruined streets in the west, realizes that all the careful planning has been completely upset by the extent of the destruction. Emergency and temporary measures must suffice. Nobody will describe them as ideal, or perhaps even tolerable, according to normal standards. I have seen four and five room flats where three and four families are housed. It is becoming more evident that defence measures and a terrible and inevitable reckoning are now among the main pre-occupations of our leaders.” HIT BY BOMBS FROM OWN PLANES N.Z. Pilot’s Experiences (Special Australian Correspondent, N.Z.P.A.) (Rec. 10 p.m.) LONDON, June 26. The concentration of bombers over targets in Germany is frequently so heavy that aircraft are sometimes hit by bombs from aircraft over them. This happened twice to K. Smith, D.F.M., Auckland, who was recently promoted pilot officer. He has carried out 31 raids in Stirlings and is now instructor. While over Wilhelmshaven an incendiary bomb hit the oil tank of the port inner motor and set it on fire. Pilot Officer Smith feathered his motor and dived, putting out the flames. . ■Another time an incendiary bomb went i clean through a wing, leaving a neat | hole but causing no damage. ' Pilot Officer Smith has raided Berlin ; and Turin and “all the towns of the Ruhr except Dusseldorf.” He was awarded the D.F.M. last April.