FOR INVASION

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 88, Issue 96, 24 April 1944, Page 5

FOR INVASION

HUGE FLEET READY AMERICAN WAR EFFORT GERMANY WILL KNOW BOTH ITS QUALITY AND SIZE Reed. S p.m. Rugby, April 22. The invasion of Europe, will be made with the greatest armada in history. The United States armed forces alone have already 20,000 vesels, and, ultimately, will have 80,000 landing craft at their disposal. Mr. Donald Nelson, chairman of the United States War Production Board, revealed this at Chicago, in a speech. “We are grimly aware.” he said, “that the fight on the Western From may take long, bloody months, but no one doubts the Germans will be driven back in the west as they are being driven back in the east. When the gigantic western pincer begins to close oft Germany, the Nazis will come to know the quality, as well as the i ’.agnitude, of America’s war effort. They will exoerience that quality first in the landing craft which will carry cur forces to the beach had in western Europe. We have already produced 20,000 vessels, and when the present programme is comnleted our armed forces will have 80.000 at their disposal, with 15 special types to perform every conceivable duty of amphibious warfare. With our Army and Air Force and Britain’s great R.A.F. covering the landings, the invasion will get under way. It will be at this stage that the quality of the weapons in the hands of ground troops will make itself felt. “I need not tell you that in the intense struggle we expect to wage on the mainland of Europe, heavy artillery is going to be a major factor. Of particular interest is the 105 millimetre howitzer, a stalwart support for infantry. The same quality is found in the famous ‘Long-Tom 155.”’ 8.0.W.