Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1943-04-28
Promise for Peace Seen
In Wartime Contacts
Major Eliot Believes Better
Understanding Will Follow
Fighting Alliance

By Maj. George Fielding Eliot.
1t would be unfortunate If press dis
cussions of the United States Army Air
Forces policy of daylight bombing in
Europe were to give the impression to
the American public that state OF con-
troversy and constant friction exists be-
tween our airmen and those of the Royal
Air Force. 1t is true the Royal Air Force
has trained its pilots and designed its
planes for night bombing, and believes
that this is the best way 20 effect the
maximum destruction of enemy targets
1t is likewise true that our Army fliers
are adhering to a policy of day bombing,
and that they have been more successful
both as regards results achieved and
losses sustained than some Royal Air
Force officers thought probable at the
outset of the day bombing operations
But one may be entirely certain that
no one could be better pleased than the
officers of the Royal Air Force at what
ever success our airmen may attain. now
or in the future. There is, of course,
friendly rivalry and keen spirit of
competition between the two forces.
This is both natural and healthy. One
sided public criticism of the policy of
either force as contrasted with that of
the other tends to produce a distorted
view in the mind of the reader and is
disservice to the cause for which both
forces are fighting so calamity and so
successfully.
AS for the merits of the discussion it
is certainly too early to say that the case
for day bombing has been wholly proven
by the results so far obtained. Our day
bombers have not yet effected any very
deep penetration of German territory.
The deepest was the raid on Bremen
few days ago, in which we lost rather
heavily; but then again, nothing is
proven by the results of single raid
Able and experienced officers Of the
caliber of Gen. Eaker are convinced that
day bombing is the right policy, at least
for great proportion of the American
bombing force in the British Isles; and
like most war buildings, the only proof
of this one is in the eating So far as
to this particular pudding. we have only
eaten spoonful here and there around
the edges.
One point to be kept particularly in
mind Is the need for preserving the
identity and American character of our
forces wherever these may be operating.
American soldiers do not fight well under
other flags than their own. and while
the necessity for inter-Allied commands
in many theaters of operations must be
recognized, it is of vital Importance that
the American contingent in any such
theater should not be broken up or lose
its American identity, but should be kept
together under an American commander.
The latter, OF course, must be subordinate
to the inter-Allied commander in chiN
who may not be an American. as circum-
stances may seem to require.
This was the battle which Gen. John
j. Pershing fought in the last war and
it is heartening to observe that in this
war no controversy Of comparable di-
mansions has arisen on this subject. Even
If with the passage of time and increased
experience, the American Army Air
Forces in Great Britain go in for night
bombing more extensively than hitherto,
it may be presumed that the officers in
command will be careful to make sure
that there is no loss of identity as far
as American air units are concerned.
On the other hand, however, it is
proper to point out the very great service
to the cause Of inter Allied unity that is
being rendered by British and American
units and personnel working and lighting
in close cooperation, each depending to
some extent for success upon the opera
tons and work of the other.
1t is probable that this war will see not
thousands but literally millions of Amer
lean fighting men brought into the
closest contact on ground. sea and air
battlefields, at bases and In training
areas, with millions Of other fighting men
from Great Britain and the Dominions.
The mutual confidence thus engendered
between such vast numbers of the two
branches of the English speaking race
may we'll be the cornerstone Of all our
future hopes for united policy after VIC
tory, for the building Of a better and
more peaceful world.
Copyright, 1913. N Y. Tribune Inc.)