Detroit evening times. (Detroit, Mich) 1921-1958, 1943-03-08
War Today
Reich Bombines
Merely FeeIers
For What's Due
Nv CAPT. JOHN II. CRAIGE


Write. E.reciaIiy fer Int1 News SerNtc.
LONDON DIS ATCH r s
chronicling continuous heavy
bombardment OF Germany by the
Raj highhght the fact that his
tory In air war is in the making
over western Europe. Theories
that have been built up. some OF
them over periods OF 20 years,
are being put 10 the test.
Experience is being accumu-
lated for the giant mass cam
paign of the air against the
Nazis that is 10 come. Results
are being analyzed by United
States and British air chiefs in
secret conferences. Intelligence
reports from bombed cities are
being eagerly compared.
The divergent conceptions OF
bombing held by American and
British bombardiers are being
compared. Tactics and plans
which emerge from the labora-
tory work now being done will
form the basis of a United Ma
tions air blitz. which. IL is hoped.
will send Germany Keeling from
the war.
SIGNIFICANT Is the fact
that since the present intensi-
fled bombing began. practically
every strategically important
part of Germany and Nazi-
occupied Europe has been visited
by Allied bombers.
Unquestionably there is pur-
pose behind this and the purpose
is 10 gain experience over every
target that will later be SUBJ
jected TO a deluge OF bombs 100
times more intense than the
present visitations.
The current rain OF high ex-
plosives on Germany began on
the night of February "a, when
Wilhelmshaven was treated 10
a dose Of blockbusters.
Wilhelmshaven is one of Hit
ler's most important submarine
bases. The damage done was
considerable. On the following
night central Germany was WIS.,
tied and on February 26 Ameri-
IAN Flying Fortresses began 10
complement the RATS night
oombings with a series of day
light sweeps. dropping bombs
rom high attitudes with deadly
precision.
Since then. und-the-clock
,ornbings by day and by night
nave continued with little pause.
American daylight attacks
reached a high point on Thurs
lay, when the great German
abroad town OF Hamm was
blasted.
TO THE student of air war.
al this indicates the tuning up
Vt the orchestra of war for
'inal test of the Douhet theory
If strategic bombing. as worked
,ut by Allied engineers of prac-
.ical bombardment of today.
Douhet believed the only arm
necessary in war is an air force.
IN the early 1920s he introduced
he startled world 10 the theory
hat in wars of the future, cities,
states and nations would be
blasted 10 destruction within a
'ew hours of the opening OF hos
ilities by the sweep of mighty
leets of the air.
This was a tremendous vision.
,ut like most visions, far ahead
VI the mechanical means of the
tine to put 1t into execution.
Most recent Allied theory OF
,utting Germany out of the war
~ air action involves the
irenching Of from 80 10 so key
Nazi industrial sections and
communications points with
,uge high explosive projectiles
md keeping them drenched
tight after night and day after
lay.
THROUGH EXPERIMENTS.
he number of bombers, the re-
Iuired fighter-planes 10 protect
hem and even the weight OF
,ofnbs needed has been worked
,ut 10 the final ounce.
Results of such calculations
ire of course deep secrets, but
ivilian engineers have estimated
hat an active fleet Of about
1000 Allied bonnbers OF the big |,
,est types would be necessary
o put Hitler on his back with
provision for replacing 1000
planes a month. which might be
expected 10 be lost.
An air fleet of 5000 bombers
pould be able 10 drop from
10000 to 100000 tons of bombs
IN Germany IN the course of
month. British planes working
" night and American bombers.
With their magic Norden bomb
lights. taking care OF daylight
operations. GE
Allied air experts believe
uch a program would so de.
noralize and shatter Nazi
Morale and production that in.
aston would be easy.
Statements and opinions hsrei, a.,
rtvsts 70 the writer and sfe not 10
Construed as rejecting the views ~
~ 49,