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Aviation History
1944
1944 - 1833.PDF
SEPTEMBER JTH, 1944 An R.A.F. Spitfire taxying in on an airstrip in Corsica after keeping air cover over the armies invading the south of France. WAR Qerman Collapse in France : Qeneral Eisenhower Takes Command : R.A.F. Heavy Bombers Still Active : Russians in Rumania V- SURVIVORS of the Old Contemp-tibles .will remember a jingle which was popular among them towards the end of 1914. It ran : — "-Here we are, here we are, here we are again. Drove them over the Marne; drove them over the Aisne; And now we're here in Armentierts And here we are again." It was a piece of doggerel very typical of Tommy Atkins, and it might not appeal in any way to the Doughboy ; but the dashing advance of General Patton's tanks up to and across the two historic rivers named inevitably recalls the battles of 1914. Of course, the same lightning speed was not possible in the first year of the earlier World War. Tanks were then unknown,. and biplanes which could exceed 100 miles an hour with their throttles full open were rarities. But when all allowances have been made, the speed with which the American 3rd Army has moved from Brittany to the scene of the ever- faitaous retreat from Mons and the miracle of the Marne '' will go down 10 history as a feat of arms and of supply not less remarkable than the victories of 30 years ago. The advance of this 3rd Army and the simultaneous victory on the lower Seine by the 2nd British and rst Canadian Armies, sealed by the cap ture of Rouen and the practical destruction of the German 7th Army, constituted a typical Montgomery battle. It was the greatest he had ever fought, and it may be the last battle in which he is in command of all the ground forces. Some time ago the Prime Minister fore told that, while at the outset British and American forces in the Army of Liberation would be a p p r o x i- mately equal, it was in evitable that in due course the Americans would outnumber the British and Empire troops. The landing of BOLT HOLES : Close- up of the machine gun and rocket projectile armament on the port wing of a Thunderbolt. the 7th Army under Gvneral Patch in Provence has evidently now brought this about. The—adracfice Crf>4;hat Army up^ has nov Would/be illogical longe/ man/
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