The Waterbury Democrat., 1944-02-25
The War On
Mony Fronts
BY LOUIS F. KEEMLE


The German Luftwaffe fought Tor
It's existence today as the co-ordi-
mated Anglo-American assault from
the west and South rained uestruc-
ton on its principal factories IN the
heart of central and southern Ger
many and in Austria.
1t was critical period for the air
arm on which Hitler relies for the
final defense of the Reich against
invasion. Something Of military
crisis likewise appeared to be de-
veloping for Hitler on the Russian
front, where the Red army pressed
with gathering speed towards the
Baltic states and opened a danger
Gus offensive on the hitherto dor
mint central front in White Russia.
The Allies were striving for q
Knockout blow against Germany IN
the air. The sustained offensive,
now In its sixth day set new
record for continuity and weight.
Beginning Sunday, the Royal Air
Force struck heavily at night, send
ing as many as 1000 bombers at
a time against vital targets.
The 9th United States Air Force
in Britain and the 18th in Italy hit
equally hard in precision daylight
raids. The attacks were perfectly
co-ordinated, sometimes hitting IN
turn at the same targets and always
keeping the enemy's fighter de-
tenders scattered from north to
south.
Factories for ball bearings, COM
ponent parts, assembly, machine
shops and other plants essential to
keepingk the Luftwaffe in the air
were smashed. The attacks were so
widely spaced and came in such
rapid succession that it was impos-
sible for reconnaissance to provide
any adequate idea Of the damage
inflicted.
Lufewaffe Weakened
In addition, the strength Of the
LuftWaffee actually in the air was
being appreciably whitfield down.
The oficial estimate for yesterday
was 1856 German planes shot down
by American forces alone, operat-
ing from England and Italy, bring
ing their five-day total to 499. Final
British figures would swell this fig-
ure considerably.
Last nights operations by the
Raj centered on the aircraft CEN
tiers Of Schweinfurt In central Ger
many and Steyr in Austria. They
were hit by more than 1000 planes
from Britain and Italy in the wake
Of heavy daylight attacks by Amer
lean bombers yesterday.
To keep the fires blazing, other
British and American bomberS and
bomber fighters went out over the
channel today, striking at the in
vasion coast, nearby air installa-
lions and detectives farther inland.
The intensity of the offensive
could be measured by the fact that
more than 5000 Allied planes were
engaged in the attack in the "A
hours ending last night.
German military reports appeared
to be preparing the people at home
for further bad news from the Rus
sian front. They conceded the loss
Of vitebsk, not claimed by Moscow
so far, and Of Rogachev. Both are
key points in White Russia. Vitebsks
on the Dvina, is the main Russian
stronghold for the entire central
front and stands on the north Of
the so-called Smolensk gateway
leading to upper Poland, Lithuania
and Latvia. Rogachev, on the upper
Dnieper, is with zhlobin, the prin-
cipal anchor of the southern ned Of
the line towards the Pripet marshes.
Sensational Events
Berlin spoke of possible "sensa-
tional events" In the Baltic and
said the road to Polotsk-the re-
manning strong point northwest Of
Vitebsk towards the border-is now
open.
War developments elsewhere in
cluded:
ItalyJThe Germans were report
ed ready with a force of possibly
100000 men TO ra third major as
sault ON the Anzio beachhead.
Patrol skirmishes and artillery
duels were the main activity on the
front.
Pacific Allied forces frightened
Ssir blockade of the Bismarck
A11nlpelago area, sinking enemy
n 20 go "a .