VALOUR OF R.A.F.

Dominion, Volume 37, Issue 2, 28 September 1943, Page 5

VALOUR OF R.A.F.

(British Official Wireless.) (Received. September 27, 7.5 p.m.) RUGBY, September 26. The Chief of the U.S. Army Air-Forces, General Arnold, paid a stirring tribute to the R.A.F. in a personal telegram to the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal Sir Charles Porta), on the third anniversary of the Battle of Britain. General Arnold recalled that three years « ago today after a struggle lasting from dawn to dusk for oO days the Lnftwafte first gave up the attempt to cross Britain’s skies in daylight. The conflict with British pilots was to continue unabated for 84 days in all, till the enemy realized that Britain was invulnerable. The enemy had intended to ground the RA.F. as a prelude to invasion, but the R.A.F. could not be grounded. It was thanks to the valiant fighters that beleaguered Britain held out, said General Arnold. “The change we see in our fortunes and prospects could not have been accomplished without the victory which we commemorate today. Mr. Churchill in a recent statement has given us the facts—the R.A.F. is now maintaining nearly 50 per cent more first-line aircraK on all war fronts than the Lnftwafte. Xue British and American Air forces are being supplied with an ever-increasing number of new aircraft, exceeding the corresponding German supply by more than f °“The United States Army Air Forces join wholeheartedly with Britain in paying tribute to the dauntless R.A.F., and are proud to be fighting side by side w th the gallant airmen to whom the Liiiiteu States ow’es so much.”