Text Version


               Paraphrase of Code Cablegram
               Recieved at the War Department
                     at 11:29, June 23, 1941
 
London, filled 17:00, June 23, 1941.
 
     The strength and disposition of the Russian Air Force is
 
currently estimated by the British as follows: 1600 aircraft in the
 
area of Vladivostok, 4800 along the Western front. The ratio of bombers
 
and fighters is about two to three. Most of the fighters are of the
 
type of the British Gladiator. Of the Hurricane class they have around
 
1000 aircraft. Naval aircraft number about 200. Most of the Russian
 
bombers, known as the SB, are similar to the Blenheim and have a speed
 
of 250 miles per hour. Their long range bomber, called the DR-3, has
 
a range of 1600 miles and carries 3000 pounds of bombs. The reserve
 
of the Russian Air Force is estimated at thirty percent. The morale
 
of the pilots is thought to be good, but they are not considered well
 
trained, most of their training having been concerned with defensive operations.
 
     1. British Air Activity over the Continent.
 
      a. Night of June 21-22. During this night British bombers dropped
 
49 tone of high explosive and 5900 incendiaries bombs on Dusseldorf, 1100
 
incendiaries and 48 tons of high explosive bombs, including one bomb of
 
4000 pounds, on the railway center at Cologne, 26 tons of high explosive
 
Bombs and 3800 incendiaries on the industrial area at Cologne, 40 tons
 
of high explosive bombs on Boulogne and 15 on Dunkirk.
 
 
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