Detroit evening times. (Detroit, Mich) 1921-1958, 1943-03-07
The War
Today
Round he-CIock
Bombings Soften Up
Reich for Invasion
By REAR ADMIRAL CLARK II.
WOODWARD. L. {, NAVY

WOODWARD. L. :, NAVY
copyrrht isl2. International News ssrvic
MOST MILITARY men are
convinced that Germany . can
never be defeated by bombing
attacks alone. Nevertheless they
do subscribe unheSitattnCty, 10
the theory that about bombing
raids are indispensable soften
ing-up preludeS to a successful
invasion.
The massive Allied air opera
tons over Europe which have
been in progress since early
February. and particularly the
"round-the-clock' bombing dur
ing the past 10 dayS-the great
est sustained air offensive in
history-have been hailed by
some military and diplomatic
officials as the beginning Of
active preparations for the long
awaited invasion of Europe.
Emphasis 10 this thought has
been given recently by Capt.
Harold Balfour, British under
secretary for air, who stated
that the offensive blows so far
constituted only THE opening
bars which will rise 10 the
crescendo OF the march on
Europe !"
THE CONTINUOUS RAIDS
from the many strategically To-
Gated airdromes in England al
ready have topped every record
in air operations both as re-
CARDS the number of bombers
and fighters engaged. distances
covered and damage inflicted on
enemy production centers, naval
bases and transportation facili-
ties.
II may be presumed. there
fore, hal some definite major
patterr OF attack is being fol-
lowed in order 10 utilize fully
to the best advantage. all avail
able Allied personnel and equip
rent, and at the same time 10
deal the maximum Gripping
blow 10 the enemy In his most
vulnerable spots.
In this connection the British
believe that their night bomb
ing with heavy loads OF ex-
plosives scattered over a mass
objective is the most damaging
form of attack yet developed.
On the other hand the Amer
leans. who are provided with
particularly accurate bomb
sights. prefer daylight bombing
AT high altitude levels on Sc
lected targets.
THE TWO METHODS and
respective preferences fit well
into continuous pattern OF
'round.the-clock" bombing, and
when applied steadily, as at
present. forces an ever greater
burden of defense on the en-
emy's fighters who must be con-
stantly ready in daylight as well
az in darkness TO repel the raid
ing bombers.
Indications are that the luft-
waite fighter strength has been
divided into three parts-one in
Russia. one in Tunisia and one
in western Europe-each one OF
which is tied down 10 its own
locality. In consequence, they
must always be ready 30 meet
Allied raiders whenever they APP
pear In their respective areas.
One OF the first steps for the
Allied raiders TO take, there
fore. is 10 destroy as many luft-
waffe fighters as possible en-
route and thus weaken the en-
eniys air force. both extensively
and defensively.
This will give the raiders
greater freedom OF action IN
proportion 10 the number of
enemy fighters destroyed. Lat
est dispatches from Britain en-
phssize the success Of American
bonbers against the best NaZi
fighter craft.
AZ II develops, American
planes striking their targets in
the afternoon will start fires
with incendiary bombs which
probably will act as markers for
the British raiders making night
attacks. and thus increase the
accuracy Of their bombing.
Continuous assaults Of this
nature directed against Ger
many's industrial centers 500 10
700 miles away will accomplish
destruction on such large scale
that the NaZi war effort is
bound TO be seriously disrupted.
While this won't bring Germany
TO her knees, u Will soften up
the continent in many spots for