Imperial Valley press., 1942-09-22
Germans Can Be Beaten
= rom Air, Ayers Edker

todaY'S Daily Mail. There IS hardly
a corner of Germany we can not
reach. There are now enough ar
dromes in the British Isles built
or building to accommodate all the
Allied air forces need for the de
struction of Germany.
There will bo no opportunity for
hitting the enemy in depth and
strength that will not be inveSti-
gated and demonstrated by United
States bombers within the next few
months
Faker added that some phases
of the Allied bombing program
would require bigger forces than
are now available. But these forces,
he said, would be assembled rapid
ly.
Asked whether his statement that
it was possible to destroy the enemy
by air needed qualification, Gen,
Eaker said:
Il believe 1T is possible. BY de-
stroying the enemy's aircraft fac
tories you can put an end to his
air force. BY destroying his NUM-
tions plants and communications
you can bring his armies to a halt.
By destroying his shipyards you can
make it impossible for him to build
submarines. There is nothing that
can be destroyed by gunfire that can
not be destroyed by bombs.
USE EVERY WEAPON
1T should be recognized that air
power is one of the most powerful
means we have to win the war.
I'VE should of course use every
weapon, not just one. But do not
let US miscalculate power in the
air. The winning side in this war
will be the one that has the big
gest and most effective air force
Eaker said that combined round
the clock operations were desirable
First, he said, they would reduce
the problems of air space and air.
drome space needed for mass raids
Second, he said, round the clock
raids would prevent the German
defenses getting rest because crews
would need to be on the alert at
all times.
Il have been impressed by the
Royal air force area bombing" Eakel
said 1T has a greater effect or
civilian morale than daylight pre-
cision bombing by our Boeing Flying
Fortresses because people know day.
light raids will be confined to pre-
else targets, and the uncertainty
of nighU Dombings over a wide aref
is unnerving"
DAY AND NIGHT
Intimating that the army NIGH
join the Royal air force in nigh
bombing Eaker said that he con.
sidered it a happy coincidence tina
British planes habitually attacked
by night while the American heav,
bombers attacked by day.
THE combined operations of ou
two air forces add up to day anC
night offensive" he said.
Regarding the effect of Winte
weather on the bombing program
Eaker said that there would be fewe
days on which high altitude preci
sion bombing would be possible.
1T is much better to bomb heavi
ly and effectively on the few day
which suit you rather than to peel
away in dribbles under unsuitable
conditions" he added. But it shoult
not be assumed we are committed
to high level bombing. The Unitet
States Army air force will boml
anywhere and in any way when tn,
weather is suitable"
Eaker's statements brought re
neWed demands in some aviation
quarters for concentration of Alliet
plane strength in the British Isles
on the ground that thereby th'
most effect could be obtained b,
hitting the German war machin'
hard in preparation for a secont
front.
1t was asserted that the Allie
would be handicapped for some tim,
!. to come unless needed equipment
we're speeded up, including Flyinl
Fortresses in sufficient strength I,
make big daylight raids.