The Wanganui Chronicle MONDAY, MARCH 8, 1943. ROUND-THE-CLOCK BOMBING

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 87, Issue 55, 8 March 1943, Page 4

The Wanganui Chronicle MONDAY, MARCH 8, 1943. ROUND-THE-CLOCK BOMBING

combining their schedules the American and Royal Air Forces have demonstrated that they can conduct a programme of round-the-clock bombings of targets in occupied France and in Germany. The time taken over the targets to carry out the actual raids is being reduced to very brief periods. The raids, therefore, are more intensive while they last, which aids the attack, for while bombs are exploding the defence effort is reduced. But repair work and the work of clearing away the debris takes several days and the populations affected do not recover from the strain of the raid for several days more. To be able to maintain a round-the-clock programme enables the attack to be intensified over a given, target area and reduces the defence effort which can be made. There is a reverse side to this effort, however, which must be taken into account. It is also exhausting for the attackers and imposes upon the ground staffs concerned a heavy strain which may not be wholly relieved by relaying the duties. It is not to be expected that round-the-clock bombing operations can be carried on over extended periods, and should there by any decrease in these operations it should be regarded as in the natural order of things. Nevertheless, it can be taken for granted that the policy of the Allies is to continue to engage the Luftwaffe on every possible occasion. The enemy seems to be inclined to harbour his resources of aeroplanes, a course of conduct which must be distasteful to him, seeing that the Allied Air Forces are engaging in attacking vital points in the Nazis war production and distribution systems.