Stands Ready For The Invader

Auckland Star, Volume LXXI, Issue 184, 5 August 1940, Page 7

Stands Ready For The Invader

BRITAIN PREPARED Nazi War Machine Has Had Tremendous Hammering (United Press Association.—Copyright.— Kec. 11.30 a.m.) LONDON, August 4, A correspondent who was permitted to visit the headquarters of the Northern Command writes: "Here the Army and the Home Guard stand ready for the invader. They recognise his plan may be to cut Britain in half at the narrowest part, as it was Russia's idea in Finland. "Both the Army and the Navy know that if Hitler delays the invasion until spring time he may not have a chance to attempt it, but the R.A.F. is not even waiting for the invader to stake all on a blow by sea and air while the summer lasts and the high tides of early August and again in September are in his favour. "The R.A.F. not only intends sweeping the skies of Britain clear of the enemy but it is planning to drop even heavier loads of bombs on enemy territory than at present. Longer nights ahead will permit raids deeper and more widespread than hitherto. "The night bomber station I visited intends, like others, to make the fullest use of opportunities to attack military objectives. Well beyond the Ruhr will be within range of Whitley 'planes during the longer hours of darkness. "Widespread R.A.F. bombing has already had the effect of dispersing Germany's anti-aircraft defences, which formerly concentrated around important areas like the Ruhr. German fighters, once never seen at night time, are now encountered frequently. "It is clear from reports of observers that Germany's war machine has already suffered a tremendous hammering by the British. 'R.A.F. members who have been operating since the outbreak of war are being gradually replaced by fresh personnel, and veterans are being sent back as instructors."