Evening star., 1943-09-02
Allied Bombing Aims
At Nuzi Air STRENGTH
By Maj. George Fielding Eliot.

In a recent article, I pointed out the
signs which were then just beginning
to be apparent, that the German fighter
defense against Allied bombing attacks
is on the increase 1t has been known
for some months that the Germans are
abandoning great part of their bomber
production in favor of fighter produc-
ton; in other words, they are going on
the defensive in the air war.
The results of this decision are now
appearing, and the tentative conclusions
of a week ago are unfortunately largely
confirmed by what has happened since
The scale of German defense is rising.
1t now remains to be seen whether the
scale OF attack can overwhelm 1t, can
turn downward again the German curve
of fighter production and reduce the
German defense system to impotence;
or whether the air war will become far
more costly to us, and less damaging to
the Germans, thus losing any possibility
of assuming that decisive character
which has been so optimistically as
signed to 1t by enthusiasts.
The index which seems most logical
and informative as to the efficiency Of
bombing operations as against their cost,
is the tonnage figure of bombs dropped
for each bomber lost in the course Of
the operation. In the big raids of last
year, this figure hovered around 35-40.
AS pointed out in the article above re-
ferred to, this year showed a radical
improvement-up to the end of July, In
of ohA
were dropped for each bomber lost: in
May and June, SO tons; in July, under
unusually favorable conditions, 86 tons.
Three big raids on Hamburg at the end
Of July, showed respectively 1911, 127
and 80 tons--the reduction being, Of
course, due to the stiffening of the de-
fense as new fighter squadrons were
rushed to the spot.
But recent raids are telling different
story In the article mentioned, pointed
out that the raid on Peenemuende
august ~ showed only 366 tons Of
bombs dropped for each aircraft lost,
while in the first big raid on Berlin
august 23) this figure fell to approxi-
mately 80 tons
The past week has shown very clearly
that this falling off is not due to
chance, but to definite stiffening Of the
German defense The raid on Nurem-
berg august I'D showed about 455 tons
dropped per bomber lost; that on
Muenchen- -GIadbach august 30) gave
better results, 535 tons; but the second
big raid on Berlin august SD dropped
back to 1873 tons. The average for these
five August raids is just about the aver
age Of July, 1942-40 tons per bomber
lost All accounts indicate that the Ger
mans used many more fighters in Au-
gust than in July, and that some Of
these fighters now are using new tactical
methods and improved weapons.
But 1t is not only over Germany that
the Germans are showing a tougher de-
fense against air attacks. The COM
munique concerning daylight operations
over France august 2S) speaks of many
combats with enemy fighters" we lost
IL aircraft to the enemy's 1s, q rate of
loss to which the Allied airmen are by
no means accustomed
The Germans also have greatly stiff
ened their air defense in Italy.
On August "a, large forces of enemy
fighters" were encountered over Bari.
On August 26, "a strong fighter opposi-
ton" was met at Foggia August %.
the communique also mentions strong
enemy fighter opposition" On August
3d. force of enemy fighters estimated
at rs aircraft attacked our bombers
repeatedly during a raid on Aversa, near
Naples, and relays of these fighters
equipped with SPECIAL fuel tanks chased
our bombers 100 miles out to sea. During
the operations of August 80, we lost 81
aircraft to the enemys is, which is in
sharp contrast to the total figure in the
Mediterranean area since the fall of
Sicily-36O enemy aircraft destroyed to
our loss of ITO.
1t remains to be seen whether all this
is a flash in the pan, desperate throw
ing in Of accumulated reserve power
which presently will be dissipated, or
whether it is backed by steady flow OF
production and of personnel procurement
which can make headway in the face
of our attacks.
Germans have contrived to increase
their defensive power at the expense
of their offensive capabilities. But we
are striking heavily at the sources of
that power. The principal target of our
precision day bombing is the German
fighter, its factories, its bases and its
aircraft in flight and on the ground
The crucial test of the air warfare
against Germany now is in progress.
The enemy has thrown in his last re-
serve by abandoning most of his bomber
production to concentrate on defense.
1t Is desperate gamble, It's purpose
of course being to gain time and wear
US out. But in the larger sense, it is
only the working of the timeless law,
that against every form of attack, sooner
or later defense Is evolved. The
pendulum OF war may swing far out,
but 1t does not stop. 1t always swings
back
Copyright. 1943. by New York Tribune, Incl