Data on Maturity

On July 4 this week the U.S. Eighth Air Force celebrated a technical anniversary by giving an aircraft factory at Le Mans in France its second bombing of the week ("They can just cross that factory off the list"). Fortresses also attacked airplane repair shops at Nantes and U-boat pens at La Pallice.

Technically, the Eighth had completed its first year of operation from Britain:* on July 4, 1942, U.S. airmen in six medium bombers attacked a German airdrome in The Netherlands. On the strength of this fact, correspondents added up a year's operations: 265 Fortresses and Liberators, twelve medium bombers lost, some 1,200 German fighters destroyed, some 12,000 tons of bombs dropped in 75 raids on Occupied France, the Lowlands and Germany. Principal achievements: 1) the damage done to German submarine bases on the Atlantic coast; 2) the ending of all doubts that the Eighth's daylight, precision bombing is worthwhile; 3) the drain on Luftwaffe fighter strength.

American airmen in Britain have matured in their understanding of war. They know that the July 4 raid last year was a spectacular stunt, more valuable in home headlines than in the Battle for Europe. The men of the Eighth await their real anniversary, which will not come until Aug. 17, one year from the day when American heavy bombers first flew into Occupied Europe.

* On the first birthday of the U.S. Fourteenth Air Force in China, its commander, Major General Claire Chennault, said: "During the next year you men will fly over Japan itself many times."

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