ATTACK EXPECTED

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 61, Issue 59, 19 December 1940, Page 3

ATTACK EXPECTED

BRITAIN PREPARES DEFENCES.

GERMANY MAY ACT IN SPRING.

(United Press Association—Copyright.) LONDON,. December 17.

The British Isles are preparing for the greatest German air offensive yet, which is expected to come as a prelude to another attempt at invasion. The Minister for Aircraft Production (Baron Beaver brook), in a broadcast to-night, said that Herr Hitler was planning to invade Britain before the spring. This invasion would come by land and sea, but chiefly in the air. The Nazis were now building up a huge air force to batter at Britain s defences. Britain had superiority at sea, and in the air during the day. This daylight supremacy had been torn from the Germans by the superb British fighters, such as Hurricanes, Spitfires and Defiants.

That superiority, said Lord Beaver-" brook, Britain was going to keep. Aircraft production was mounting, i aiid help from outside was increasing daily. British aircraft production from August to November was double that for the same period last year, and every month from May 1 to November 1, the output of bombers and fighters exceeded the estimates of production made in January. Every succeeding week, he declared, production was greater. In the last seven months, Britain had not only materially increased her home and overseas air strength, but had replaced all losses suffered. Planes from America. United States supplies were coming in an ever-increasing flow, and these machines were now very, .very many. He referred to some of the fine types of American fighters, notably the iGurtis P4O, now being used by Britain.

In the four months commencing m August the British output of aircraft and engines was double the output of last year, said Lord Beaverbrook. f Ma- v chines were coming from the United States in an increasing number of types. The fighting aeroplanes were of excellent quality and some had been equal to the best produced in Britain. According to programme, during 1943, 26,000 aeroplanes would reach Britain from the United States. “During that year, the famous 3000 a month scheme will be realised,”- said Lord Beaverbrook.

The Minister likened Herr Hitler, in his plan /to dominate Europe, to a man sitting on a three-legged stool, one leg being supported in the air. “We have knocked from under the German leader one leg of his stoolsupremacy in the air. We have seized control of the air by day with figfitei squadrons of Hurricanes, Spitfires, Defiants', and Whirlwinds. “But,” Lord Beaverbrook continued, “Hitler is fashioning another leg—an attack on shipping at sea. As to the short leg, it might become firm and stronger. Althougfi the British Navy would prevail there must be assistance from the air.

“We must recognise, too,” he continued, “that he may be making preparations for an invasion of Britain even before the spring comes.”

Lord Beaverbrook concluded his broadcast with an appeal for more bombers.

Lord Reaverbrook’s reference to Whirlwind fighters has lifted only a corner of the veil of secrecy which cannot be lifted high, except to say that the Whirlwind is one of the fastest- aeroplanes in the world. It may soon, be as iynch a household word as Spitfire and Hurricane, but its existence has been one of the war’s bestkept secrets. “Fiercest Attack Ewer Delivered.“ Mr G. Ward Price, in the “Daily Mail,” urges a cautious approach to General Wavells brilliant victory in the Western Desert which, he says, is a turning point in the war only in the sense that it promises to turn back the Mediterranean situation to where it was before Italy entered the war. He adds: “Nevertheless the victories in Greece and Africa bar Herr Hitler’s road to the Mediterranean. Turkey, which might have only fought defensively, is now almost certain, when ready, to take an active pajrt in the war on our side.

“The Fuhrer’s apparent indifference to his ally’s defeats supplies evidence of his refusal to allow secondary events to disturb his own intense pi'eparation, now being completed, for the fiercest attack against these islands ever delivered against any country. He is building new fleets of submarines, constructing new and better aircraft for next spring, and organising masses of troops for a. supreme effort at invasion.

“Herr Hitler hopes that the disorganisation and demoralisation! caused by a tremendous air offensive 1 * will throw into confusion our plans for resisting an invasion.. Then, simultaneously from Narvik to Bordeaux, new sea-going barges will sail. “It is for this we must prepare.”