AIR STRENGTH.

Auckland Star, Volume LXXI, Issue 172, 22 July 1940, Page 8

AIR STRENGTH.

Britain Still Inferior In Numbers To Germany. GREATER PRODUCTION NOW. (Received 11 a.m.) LONDON, July 21. The aeronautical expert of the "Sunday Times" says the German Air Force is still far bigger than Britain's. Her first-line strength is estimated at 18,000 aeroplanes, but there is reason to believe she does not possess sufficient trained crews. The German total includes probably 3000 troop-carriers, the remainder being bombers and fighters in equal ratio. Her output is probably 1800 machines of all types a month. This is an increase of 500 a month since the outbreak of war, but it does not represent the peak. British production now exceeds Germany's, and British bombers are inflicting terrific damage on Germany's factories, so it is reasonable to hope this will materially reduce Germany's output in the next few months. The writer adds that the number of trained crews is the "bottleneck" of German strength. She produces 60 aeroplanes a day, but crew* cannot be trained at that rate, and so many crews are diluted with Italians. i

Germany has lost 1000 men and 300 aeroplanes in attacks on Britain since the outbreak of war. British losses in raids against Germany are far smaller than Germanys', leaving the total balance well in Britain's favour.