Evening star., 1948-09-26
Red Nerve War Seen
lin Maneuver Notices
As No Planes Appear
BY the Assoeiofsd Press

by me ASSoctofed fFe31
BERLIN, Sept. 25.-The Russians
posted notice today that they would
hold maneuvers across the western
airlife lanes, but American flyers on
the aerial supply highway said they
failed to spot any Soviet planes.
The Russians said this morning
formation flying would-be practiced
in an area extending from Perleberg
to Finsterwalde. This would cross
all the American-British- French air
corridors to blockaded Berlin. They
did not say when the flights would
occur. Usually little advance notice
is given.< =
Capt. Vincent Gookin. American
air safety officer, said at the end of
the day that no such maneuvers
were reported by flyers who carried
another 3,725 tons of supplies in
clear, splendid flying weather.
Antiaircraft Practice Held.
Yesterday the Russians held anti
aircraft practice fire in one Of the
air corridors but caused only slight
diversion in the lift and no Incl
dents.
No lift pilots reported seeing any
flax. an Air Force oficial said. He
added, however, that one pilot did
report seeing a Soviet plane en-
gagged in air-to-ground fire.
American officials were puzzled
over today's action but one sug-
gested 1t might be part of war
of nerves"
1t. Col. B. E. Steadman Of the
American Military Government s
armed forces division, said Perhaps
they are really conducting maneuv-
ers and maybe they are just trying
to harass the airlift with nerve war
tactics. At any rate, we're not wor-
ried and If they stay above 10000
feet we don't care how many planes
they have in the air around here"
Four-power flight rules require
such planes to fly above 10000 feet
Today's Soviet announcement did
not mention at what altitude the
flights were planned.
British To Fly Fuel Oil.
The British said they intend to
experiment with hauling fuel oil
into Berlin by air. A tanker version
OF their Avrotudor cargo plane will
make the first flight within the
next two days. If 1t is successful
other flights will be inaugurated to
step up the oil supply for Berlins
heating and power installations.
The political war of words con-
tinued.
The Soviet news agency said City
Councillor Waldemar Schmidt OF
the Communicated Socialist Unity
Party. (SED) had rejected a sum-
mons by the Socialist-dominated
city council to discuss his refusal
to register tariff treaties in his labor
department.
The agency said Schmidt would
be willing to do SO only In the
traditional meeting house" Of the
city legislators. The Western men,
bers refuse to meet therein the
Soviet sector-on the grounds the
Russians will not provide protec-
ton against Communist rioters who
disrupted previous sessions.
Fights at SED Rally.
A few fist fights broke out at an
evening rally of the SED in the
little Tiergarten in the British area.
Opposition party members objected
to speeches of the SED. Police
intervened and dispersed the crowd
Of 1000 without incident after ar
resting three persons they termed
Communist agitators.
F. 1t. Col. E. r. Kelley, incoming
American provost marshal, denied
a report by the Berlin radio that
Col. w. A. Falk, whom he is suc-
ceeding Monday, had been recalled
because he did not do his job
properly. Col. Kelley said Col. Falk
had served his full three-year term
in Berlin.
Il don't think anyone did bet
ter Job in Berlin than Col. Falk, "
he said.