Arkansas State press., 1944-06-23
Allied Supremacy in Air.
Result Of African Lesson
Borrowed Page From Germany's Book
Taught us to Coordinate Efforts of
Air, Land and Sea Forces.
By BAUKHAGE
Ne,Us Anaiys, and Commentator.
UNU Service, Union Trust Building
Washington, ID. C.


Washington, ID. C.
Early In the war with Japan, when
he little men Of Nippon we're
warming down the Maylayan PEN
nsula at an unbelievable rate
through impossible terrain and roll
ng up one inconeeivable victory
after another, | had a talk with a
wise old military campaigner. and
Is result Of the conversation, sat
iown and wrote that "inhltration"
s a word you are going to hear
lsed lot before this war is over.
Then followed the days when the
laps pushed the allies back from
Singapore to New Guinea and the
men Of Nippon were acclaimed as
he aces OF jungle fighting. the art
II filtering through territory in
which heretofore human beings
we're not supposed to be able to fight.
Today, the allies have produced
he best jungle fighters in the world.
We are daily beating the Japs at
heir own game.
And today. was reminded of
something else after another session
With another anonymous oldtimer.
If another time and place.
He told me some things about the
,llied air force and l recalled the
lays when Hitler began to bully
Europe and l realized that 1t wasn't
20 much appeasement, corruption.
ieceit or Nazi diplomacy then that
made the Fuehrer master Of GEN.
ral Europe, first at Munich and
alter in France and the low
countries. but the threatening
shadow which the dreaded Luft-
waffe cast across the world.
Today. Just as the allies have out
lungled the Japs. they have out
Luftwaffed the Luftwaffe. In the lat
'er case. we must admit the Ger.
mans taught US in Africa NV they
lid 1t.
Triphibious Warfare .
We will be able to understand the
INVASION Of Europe much better II
Va understand q little more about
he two roles which the allied air
force has played In modern warfare
pver since we took . page from
Germany's book and learned what
means TO coordinate the efforts Of
pilot and bombardier with the foot
Ioldier and the sailor. especially In
what Is now generally called "tri-
dubious" warfare.
First. II might be well to state
clearly the difference between the
tactical and strategic bombing. Stra-
.egic bombing Is directed toward
the destruction Of enemy strength at
4 distance. Tactical bombing Is de-
,truction or interruption of enemy
operations In or near the combat
area.
Because the valuable quality Of
air power Is flexibility, the two roles
sometimes overlap, but in general,
the strategic effort is long range
effort In terms OF both time and
space--it requires the use Of long
range bombers and long-range
lighters.
Tactical bombing Is the quick
answer to instant needs--it in
wolves lighter bombers and usually
does not require long range for its
craft. There Is an exception, which
III mention later.
Strategic bombing is aimed, as we
have seen. at factories, at all in
stallations which contribute to the
enemy's war effort; railway lines,
junctures, military bases, rolling
stock and all means Of transport
tation and communication.
The targets in tactical bombing
are more varied and will BE men,
toned later.
The Final Phase o
We are interested at present In
the final phase Of the European war,
so II might be well to describe
the preliminary efforts before, and
1T aft kA