BRITISH CLAIMS IN AIR WAR

Dominion, Volume 33, Issue 281, 22 August 1940, Page 10

BRITISH CLAIMS IN AIR WAR

Scrupulous Checking

NAZI LOSSES USUALLY UNDER-RATED

(British Official Wireless.)

(Received August 21, 7 p.m.) RUGBY, August 20.

Referring to complaints which have been made about the speed with which the reports of air' raids over Britain have been published compared with those emanating from Germany, the Dominions Secretary, Lord Caldecotc, in the House of Lords today pointed out that, while it has been a comparatively simple matter for the Germans to. give their entirely inaccurate figures, “the British figures are scrupulously elaborated and perhaps over-elaborately checked.”

Lord Caldecote stated that 699 Nazi aircraft had been destroyed since August 8, and he later explained that there had been a considerable number of enemy losses which were never published, but were put in the official records as “unconfirmed” or "probably lost.” The British figures of the Nazi losses could be relied on to the extent of being an under-statement.

Dealing with the material damage, Lord Caldecote said that inflicted by the Nazis in Britain was light compared with the destruction worked in Germany by the R.A.F. “The British raids are not mere terror bombings,” he said. “They are directed against military objectives which have been carefully identified and accurately attacked so that the pressure will be constant and increasing. These are not mass attacks that cannot be persevered with, and the success up to the present time has been impressive. “Our airmen in the Middle East have been no loss gallant and successful against an enemy not always unworthy in the air, and they have shown consistent daring and energy.'’

FOREIGN PRESSMEN Further Confirmation Of Reports

(British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, August 20.

Truth has already overtaken the absurd German falsehoods which gained temporary currency in certain neutral countries regarding the results of the recent mass German air _ at tacks. The accuracy of the British official reports is now freely accepted. Mr. James MacDonald, in the “New York Times,” says: “The British reports are about as correct as.it is possible to make them.” The German propaganda, he said, which was direct ed to proving to the. world that the air blitzkrieg had broken the British morale, had failed even more com pletely. Mr. Gault MaeGowan says in the “New York Sun”: “The British reputation for understatement should not be allowed to becloud our judgment. There is no fear of panic.” The London correspondent of the Swiss newspaper “Basler Nachrichten” says: “As an eye-witness, I confirm that German 'attempts to undermine the morale and nerves of the British population are futile. Last week enabled a check to lie made on the German broadcasts. People easily recognize fairy tales. Visiting London suburbs and southern counties, I saw with my own eyes that everything is normal and that work is continuing as usual.” TO END NAZISM Determination Of British Labour (British Official Wireless.) (Received August 21, 7.5 p.m.) RUGBY, August 20. The unswerving determination of British labour to make an end of Nazism was the keynote of the presidential address to tlie annual conference of the Confederation of Shipbuilding and Engineering Trade unions, lo which 1,500,000 workers are affiliated.

“Fundamentally, this is a worker’s war,” the, president, Mr. J. W.' Stephenson said. “Our soldiers, sailors and airmen come in the main from working class homes. We will not let them down. There can be no peace or rest till Nazism is utterly eliminated. The giant of British labour is awake in the full vigour of endeavour and we shall annihilate the enemy, no matter what the cost and sacrifice. Labour conquers all things given the will and the cause. We shall win.”

The “Dally Telegraph” comments: “These unions represent the skilled workers in some of the country’s key industries. They are- not the least Independent, democratic and influential section of British organized labour, whose authentic voice could not be heard more faithfully through any other channel. The president’s words are more impressive as coming from a representative of an organization which has hitherto stoutly opposed all warlike policy. The transformation is almost startling. Though Hitler would hate to know it, that transformation is ids most signal achievement.”

PARACHUTE TROOPS Reception Etiquette (British Official Wireless.) (Received August 21, 7.5 p.m.) RUGBY, August 20. A report from Germany that serious reprisals will be taken against members of the R.A.F. if German parachute troops in uniform arc not treat ed in Britain in conformity with the rules of land warfare, is regarded by the Press as rather a German effort at “nerve warfare’’ to unsettle the British public by the suggestion of the imminent arrival of parachutists. It is generally agreed that there is no reason why such troops in appropriate uniform should not be treated exactly as other military units, the main problem being their possible appearance, as on the Continent, in a variety of disguises, when the ordinary riiles of warfare would not be applicable, ' The “Manchester Guardian” says one peculiar hardship of parachutists is I hat. they will find it difficult to surrender in midair. If they are shot while in the middle of an aggressive descent, this end to their endeavours can hardly be held against the defenders.

It is strange that Germany, white appealing for the ordinary rules of war for her parachutists, should describe the Home Guard as “murder bands” and promise them all kinds of penalties. Germany should be grateful that this line disciplined body of men is here waiting prepared and able to take care of her parachutists as they land.