OPTIMISTIC VIEW

Bay of Plenty Times, Volume LXIX, Issue 13243, 20 January 1941, Page 3

OPTIMISTIC VIEW

SPEECH BY MINISTER OP AIR R.A.F. BROKE THE INVASION Rugby, Jan. 17 Sir Archibald Sinclair, Minister of Air, emphasised the growing power kirk, and the squadron shot down 3 6 ing Glasgow University students on the formation of a new University air squadron. “There is no doubt at all,” said Sir Archibald, “that SJt was the R.A.F. that saved this country from an attempt an invasion, and from very grave danger of defeat in the dark month of last year. It will be the R.A.F. which will go on striking far heavier blows on the vitals of Germany and Italy in the comingyear, and will blaze the way to eventual victory. I strongly believe we shall see before the end of the year the path to victory opening before us.’’ He expressed the view that “one of the great decisions in the history of the war will prove to-have been that made two years ago when we decided to build a particular kind °f fighter with eight machine-guns, and a fire power greater than that the German or Italian fighters.” Sir Archibald also spoke of the defiant Ashter, and mentioned that one squadron of Defiants held the lecord for the number of Germans bought down in a single day. It was during the evacuation of DuninoA Ud the s l ua drin shot down 36 , rs - Defiants were still beSghthig d V6ry largely now for night

~J he Minlster added that there m , e „ more modern types coming inHaSJ md great bombers like the lev? P f?l s ’ Wellingtons , and . Whitnmv’J d u- a st * ng * n ‘ the, tail, Avere Gernnn lkll !f 3t tbe very sourc es of 'J, an and Dalian military power. only „ p '’ eseat they are . in numbers, force >. v; actloa of the German air this vm,. tv, Said ’ <but all throu Sh in numho tbey are goin S to increase numbers, quality and power „