LOSSES ANALYSED

Evening Post, Volume CXXXI, Issue 2, 3 January 1941, Page 7

LOSSES ANALYSED

AIR AND SEA WAR

BRITISH AND ENEMY FORCES

THE YEAR 1940

1 British Official Wireless.)

(Received January 3. 11.30 a.m.)

RUGBY. January 2

A detailed analysis of the figures of British and enemy losses in air and sea warfare during 1940, now available, shoWs that 2993 German aeroplanes were shot down over Britain at a cost of 847 British fighters. Anti-aircraft gunfire accounted for 444 Nazi machines over Britain, the greatest number for a single clay being 23, which the guns brought down on August 15.

Over Germany and the occupied territories the R.A.F. lost 374 bombers, and 28 more at sea, but 63 German planes were destroyed by British bombers during these operations.

In actions with the Italian air force, the figures are available up to December 26 and of course they cover a period of about six months. During that period 416 Italian machines were destroyed by British aircraft in combat, the R.A.F. losses being 75.

The Fleet Air Arm's1 "returns" have been carried up to December 1, and they show that 52 enemy aircraft were destroyed for certain, 10 are believed shot down but unconfirmed, and 48 were damaged.

Hamm continues to be the mostraided town in Germany, having sustained 82 attacks, while Hamburg comes second with 46. Berlin has been raided 35 times.

Figures are also given for losses in aerial combat during the land campaigns in which the R.A.F. and the Luftwaffe engaged.

In the Norwegian campaign the losses are about equal, the R.A.F. losing 55 and the Luftwaffe 56. On the Western Front and in Franco 954 Nazi machines were destroyed in combat at a cost of 375 British machines.

The German sea losses do not include a specific number of submarines which are claimed to have

been destroyed during the year, neither is any claim made for damage inflicted on Nazi naval units. Hitler's fleet, however, has lost two cruisers, 12 destroyers, and a number of smaller vessels.

The Italian losses are heavier, with one cruiser, 11 destroyers, and at least 25 submarines, while the damage to three battleships, two cruisers, and two fleet auxiliaries at Taranto is included in addition.

The losses to the British Fleet are one aircraft-carrier, three cruisers, 10 armed merchant cruisers, 33 destroyers, and 21 submarines. In accordance with settled policy, damage is not announced.