GERMAN LOSSES IN AIR RAIDS

Press, Volume LXXV, Issue 22850, 25 October 1939, Page 10

GERMAN LOSSES IN AIR RAIDS

Figure Given As At

Least 16

SCOTTISH COAST DEFENCES (BBITI3B OFFICIAL WIRELESS.) (Received October 24, 7 p.m.) RUGBY, October 23. , It is now certain that the Germans lost at least 16 long-distance bombers on their recent attempts on the Firth of Forth and Scapa Flow bases, and in raids off the Yorkshire coast. Britain suffered 30 casualties in the Firth of Forth raid, and slight damage to four warships. So slight was this damage, that all were able to proceed to sea the same day. - The recent German air attacks on British Fleet and naval bases are interpreted by many shrewd observers as an indication that the results of the U-boat campaign are now recognised as disappointing in Berlin.

' By a new effort it was no doubt hoped to reduce the margin of British superiority in warships with a view to breaking the stranglehold of the British Navy which is shutting off Germany’s oversea supplies. Only the Baltic remains open to German shipping. Judging by the outcome of the first raids—the small amount of damage done and the heavy casualties suffered by the raiders—it is likely the hopes that the Nazi leaders may have entertained of success for. this method are going to be as greatly disappointed as those formerly held out to the German public in respect to U-boat attacks. It is clear that the accuracy of bombing, on which the German Air Force may have counted, is unattainable in conditions of anti-aircraft gunfire which the German pilots have met. Furthermore, the German Command may have underestimated the quality of British interceptors. It is said that' the loss of 30 per cent, of the attackers by the Germans in recent raids, like the loss of a third of their submarines, is too heavy 'a. wastage to be borne for long, nor are the results achieved in either form of attack commensurate.

It is interesting to note that British pilots who shot down three of the four German aircraft destroyed in the raid on the Firth of Forth belonged to the Auxiliary Air Force and until three weeks ago were stockbrokers, lawyers, amd sheepfarmers. • No single British aeroplane was lost and actually only one hit, which did no damage, was obtained by the German gunners in all the aerial combat over the Firth of Forth. Assistance to Convoys The auxiliary squadrons consist of men who in peace devoted their spare time ,to training in military flying. The squadrons of the Auxiliary Air Force were organised on lines similar to the Territorial arms, each one being identified with some particular locality. Some assist in convoy escort, and one such squadron recently twice Saved ships from damage. The particular convoy was in a sea area in which the only danger entertained was from submarines. The sea was rough, but in spite of this the squadron on two occasions detected floating mines in the path of the convoy. The first time, smoke flares dropped near the mines gave the Ships’ steersmen the opportunity of avoiding them by quick alteration of the helm. On the second occasion, an escorting destroyer was able to dash in ahead of the convoy and sink the mines by machine-gun fire. . Spotting mines in rough seas is difficult enough when mines are expected, but to see floating mines in areas supposed to be clear speaks very well for the peace training in reconnaissance of men who seven weeks ago were mainly occupied in their civilised callings. The representative of the British United Press with the Royal Air Force in France states that the airmen are jubilant because of the Rcyal Air Force’s week-end successes on the home front.

A British Air Force dawn patrol flew over the Western Front this morning seeking fresh triumphs.