BERLIN BATTLE

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 88, Issue 60, 11 March 1944, Page 5

BERLIN BATTLE

SECOND DAYLIGHT RAID A GREAT BLOW Recd. 6 p.m. London. March 9. The Americans’ second daylight attack on Berlin is described as “one of the greatest blows of the war.” Opinion is expressed that the Battle of has reached its greatest peak and that this second raid within three days must make the Germans see the writing on the wall, for it indicates the formidable strength of the U.S.A.A.F. now in Britain. The Luftwaffe’s failure to claim more than 38 bombers in this latest raid and its own heavy loss is very near being a 1944 equivalent of its own losses of 181 aircraft on September 15, 1940 which was the beginning of the end of the Luftwaffe as an offensive strategic force. It is hoped that the Germans’ failure to prevent this week's attack also heralds the downfall of the German air force as a defensive factor. If fair weather coincides with the next moonless period then the Allied air force offensive will probably exceed anything seen previously. It is believed that the Russian air force may also shortly join in the offensive, which would link up with operations from Italy and Britain. The Daily Telegraph, in a leading article, comments: “Last year the total armaments output of the United Nations was twice that of the Axis. The air offensive has ensured that the estimate of a 1944 increase to four times the Axis potential will be more than justified if the Allies do not retheir effort.