ADVANTAGES IN THE AIR

Evening Post, Volume CXXXI, Issue 126, 30 May 1941, Page 8

ADVANTAGES IN THE AIR

GERMAN FORCES

WHY BRITISH PLANES WERE

WITHDRAWN

RUGBY, May 28,

discussing the air warfare in Greece and the withdrawal of the British fighters from Crete, informed aeronautical circles point out that in Greece, after Germany intervened, a limiting factor was the number of aeroplanes which could be made available, operating from the five aerodromes in northern Greece and from two or three in the south, the main bases for heavier types being of necessity situated in the Middle East. As many aircraft as could be spared were sent into the struggle, but at all times they were heavily outnumbered.

The opinion is expressed that the Nazis had at their disposal some 700 operational aircraft, as well ar, 500 to 600 troop-carrying planes. The German advance, when it came, was very rapid, and though some of our machines were able to fly to the Middle East, and some were landed in Crete, many of the aircraft and a good deal of material had to be left in enemy hands.

In the enemy's attack on Crete all the advantages of aerodromes and ivailable aircraft have remained with him.

Germany has been able to use the Dodecanese Islands and Peloponnesus, as well as Greek aerodromes further north, all of which are well within dive-bomber and fighter range. The R.A.F., on the other hand, had to rely on Crete only where there was an opportunity to prepare aerodromes, and continued to rely on the Middle East as its base.

These factors, together with a lack of adequate ground defence material, made the retaining of the fighters on the aerodromes impossible, and they were withdrawn.

In spite of the difficulties of faraway bases, some long-range fighters —among which are Blenheims —have been operating over Crete.—B.O.W.