THE AIR WAR

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 86, Issue 226, 25 September 1942, Page 1

THE AIR WAR

EFFECTS ON GERMANY NO POLITICAL CRACK The effects of Royal Air Force raids on Germany must be assessed in terms, not of mind and spirit, but of sheer physical stamina and material resources. This is the most important conclusion (says the London corrependent of the Sydney Morning Herald) that can be reached by study of the numerous reports emanating from Germany as a result of the intensified R.A.F. attacks, which German and neutral journalists have been allowed to describe for a fortnight more fully than before. A summary of their conclusions shows that the people as a whole were steadier and calmer under the recent heavy raids than under much lighter raids early in the war. It also shows a new mood o£ national unity, which persisted after the dangers of last winter first showed the Germans the threat of defeat, is being used to inspire civilians in bombed cities to “hold the west until the German armed forces swing back from a neutralised Russia.” People of all ages work with the official A.R.P. workers. The evidence proves how baseless are any lingering hopes in Allied countries that bombings will cause a political crack. One of the chief effects is the diversion of machinery and man-powey from offensive warfare to defensive at a time when Germany is clamouring for more workers and machinery for offensive warfare and the battles in the field. Industry is facing difficulty in replacement. Some vital war factories employed on most urgent armament needs have been idle for several weeks after direct hits, and frequently no attempt is made to repair some factories. Others are repaired only by diverting raw materials from factories engaged in producing offensive armaments. The raids are imposing great fatigue on workers and tremendous problems such as housing and replacement of civilians' essential goods, particularly when cities are raided again and again in quick succession. Most of these conclusions are not very different from the results officiI ally expected from bombing, and generally give confidence in the more sober strategic expectations held in Britain, but not in the exaggerated and over-publicised views that Germany can.be beaten to her knees from the air.