Evening star., 1943-06-27
Air Combat Training
is Paying Dividends,
Gen. Eaker MESSAGES
Gen. Johnson Says Loss
Of Bombers Over Europe
Is Less Than Expected
BY NELSON SHEPARD.

~ sNAS0AN SAA6A AAADs
All Army four-engine bomber
commands in this country are being
trained for overseas combat in
Europe. called yesterday by Mai.
Gen. Davenport johnson .'the
toughest air front of the war" The
training system is on the theory
that flyers fit to fight over Europe
are fit to fight anywhere.
Gen. johnson, the officer respon-
sible for their combat training, dis
closed at a press conference that
he is being assisted by more than
1000 veterans brought home from
the European, North African and
Pacific fronts.
They are giving us the value of
their battle experience in training
for more aggressive action" he said.
From Maj. Gen. Ira G. Eaker,
9th Air Force commander In Eng
land, came word that newly-arrived
bomber crews participating in the
latest European raids were showing
the effects of aggressive training.
"All I can say is that If this new
gang is better than the old gang,
it won't be fair war;" Gen. Eaker
said in message.
Gen. johnson, discussing recent
heavy bomber losses over Europe,
reported at 6 per cent, insisted that
the losses thus far are less than had
been anticipated.
so Per Cent Seen Captives.
About SO per cent of the bomber
crews reported missing" after these
raids are assumed to be alive in
enemy prison camps, he estimated.
In that opinion he was supported by
combat flyers who recently returned
from Europe.
Bomber losses are "deplorable," !" he
added, but the percentages are mot
too high" considering the type and
increasing size Of the daily missions
over highly fortified areas.
He called the European front the
toughest" because, he said, "the
Germans are concentrating every
thing they have against us. They
have a series of new airdromes along
where we 60" Furthermore, he
stressed, the Germans are the most
experienced and efficient enemy air
force opposed to us.
Don't kid yourselves about those
Germans" he went on. They are
really efficient"
Expert Parachutists.
Gen. Johnson said the so per
cent estimate of our missing as
prisoners was made without check
ing of records.
They are experienced mem, he
explained" They are flying at high
attitudes and it is certain that at
least half of them bailed out when
they couldn't get back"
Asked about those who bale out
over japanese occupied territory, he
replied grimly, That's a different
matter. The war with Japan is war
to the death"
Gen. johnson said the estimated
six per cent of bomber losses in
recent raids was based on a report
on ID different bombing missions
which included the raid over KEEL
where American bombers suffered
their heaviest losses. He would not
venture an opinion that this six
per cent was an. average loss.
IF we can stay under an overall
loss OF 10 per cent we can take it
and the raids will continue to prove
worthwhile" he asserted.
Change in Formations.
One result of lessons learned over
Europe Is the change in formation
fight.
Formerly it was believed a for
nation should loosen up to cut
down losses from flak," Gen. john
son explained. But the air war
over Europe taught that the forma-
tions considered tight weren't tight
enough. Students are now taught
to fly heavy bombers wingtip to
wingtip. And they know that If
they don't hold such a formation
throughout the hours of a raid,
they won't have much chance of
dropping their bombs on the target
or getting back home"
Among veterans serving the I'd
Air Force as instructors-50 per cent
of the supervisors are from over
seas-are the crews of such known
bombers as Jack the Ripper" and
the Duchess" The crew of the
recently returned Memphis Belle"
soon will be added to Gen. John
sons faculty.
The training territory of his Air
Force stretches from Washington
State to Gulfport, Miss. The Sd
Air Force supervises the training
of medium bomber crews