HARDER BLOWS

Auckland Star, Volume LXXII, Issue 173, 24 July 1941, Page 7

HARDER BLOWS

R.A.F. BOMB ATTACKS

Enemy Morale luuimmPPOT)

Affected Britfeb OfflcMl Wtafea, Rec 1 p.m. RUGEPgp JiMMQ ">■ Replying in the House of Commons to a question, the Air Minister. Sir Archibald Sinclair, said the scope of R.A-F. operations was increaßing. both by day and by night. "Night bombing on a heavy scadef* he continued, "is being steadily ana skilfully maintained. Evidence of the damage accumulating is being published as soon as it is available. By day we are forcing a reluctant enemy to give battle. We are inflicting substantial damage on enemy factories, communications, shipping and fighter forces. What is still more important is that we are compelling him to maintain large air forces in the west to resist our growing assaults."

The Bomber Command, added the Minister, had dropped in May this year more than twice the tonnage of bombs dropped in May last year, and in June it dropped more than half as much again as was dropped in May. Speaking of air parity, Sir Archibald Sinclair said that no efforts were being spared to obtain first parity and then overwhelming superiority over the German Air Force. Belief for Russia? Asked whether these attacks were succeeding in bringing relief to our Russian allies and whether there was any indication that the Luftwaffe was heading for the west, the Minister replied: "I think I had better not say what our information is about the movements of the Luftwaffe, but certainly the attacks, both by day and night, are bringing strong pressure to bear on the Germans, and we know they are having considerable effect upon the morale of the German people." Britain's Fighter Ascendancy "From June 14 to July 14 our fighter pilots, in these sweeps, have destroyed 311 German aircraft and probably destroyed or damaged many others for the loss of 99 of our pilots," declared a group-cap-tain in a broadcast talk. "Our bombers themselves shot down four more of the enemy's fighters.

"I wish you could see the Hun now as I see him upon his Western Front. Once so sure of himself and so arrogant, he is apprehensive now. Already he is showing a marked disinclination to fight. This relentless coming for him over his own aerodromes is having its effect. The man-for-man ascendancy our pilots won last year T»eing added to the daily effect of all this on his morale will, of course, in cumulative effect, pave the way to his ultimate defeat."