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Aviation History
1944
1944 - 1410.PDF
3« WAR IN THE AIR chances of escape, although slow speed is necessary when the mines are being released. One squadron was entrusted with the task, and anybody can imagine the careful preparation and practice which was necessary before the great day. Then they set about their task, and carried it out with great pre cision. Some of the machines made three runs before they could get through the defences on a steady flight. None hit the balloon cables, but one failed to return. It is be lieved that this rnachine hit the ground when flying very low. As a result the Canal was completely blocked for seven days; then it was partially opened for three days, and then it vras again blocked for three days. Iron ore from Sweden was held up, and coal and military supplies for Scandinavia as well. The leader of the Mosquitoes, Wing Cmdr. S. D. Watts, received an immediate award of the D.S.O. , Farewell to the "Stringbag" « piLOTS of the Fleet Air Arm are •*• doubtless grieving at the decision to reduce the production of the Fairey Swordfish, affectionately known to them as the " Stringbag." It is almost the last biplane to be used in irlike operations, and the surviving imens will no doubt continue to be died. Even at the outbreak of war, thp lwordfish looked to aeronautical *yesps assort of prehistoric monster, FLIGHT DOOMED: A Kawanishi T 97 (four 900 h.p. Kinsei engines) on fire after a fight with a U.S. Navy PB 47 Patrol Bom ber—or Catalina. It exploded before hitting the water. but although it was slow and un comfortable (for it had no hood to protect the crew from the rigours of the weather) it was always useful and was beloved of the pilots who flew it. Perhaps no other type could have proved so success ful in landing on the deck of H.M.S. Ark Royal after attacking the Bis marck, when the rise and fall of the round-down was calculated as measuring some 56 feet. It won great honour for its work in slowing up the German battleship with its torpedoes, and it also had to its credit the great feat of Taranto. When carriers ran short in the Medi terranean, squadrons of Swordfish worked on shore \vith the R.A.F., and proved very useful for spotting and lighting up German positions at night for the attentions of the bombers. JULY 13TH, 1944 RESEATING: An Australian ground crew servicing a Spitfire in the invasion area Although the Albacore was a con siderable improvement on the Sword- fish, being faster and having protec tion against the weather, the older machine was always regarded as a friend by those who flew it. It is good to know that the pilots of the Fleet Air Arm are also enthusiastic about their latest torpedo-bomber, the Fairey Barracuda. Help from Hitler A SENSATION has been caused by -**• the news that Hitler has removed Field Marshal von Runstedt (who is reckoned the ablest German com mander in the field) from supreme command in the West, and has re placed him by Field Marshal von Kluge. A change of commanders by Hitler is almost always of good augury for the Allies. But it may be that the Fiihrer was chiefly actuated by Run stedt 's known antagonism to the Nazi party. Some observers have thought that he might one day insist on removing Hitler from his throne— which would not have been to our advantage. Hitler in time of peace was dangerous to us; in time of war he is a menace to the prospects of the Germans. A break in the European monsoon last week gave a chance to the over whelming Air Forces under Air Chief Marshal Sir Trafford Leigh-Mallory to make their weight felt. Even in the bad weather they contrived to do a lot of useful work in disrupting the German communications, as well as in giving tactical help to the Army. Even the Lancasters and Halifaxes did some precision bombing by day.
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