LUFTWAFFE LOSSES.

Evening Star, Issue 24007, 4 October 1941, Page 8

LUFTWAFFE LOSSES.

If Germany should succeed in her offensive against Russia renewed air attacks on Great Britain on a major scale may be expected. Since the war began the Luftwaffe’s losses have been enormous, but it has to be remembered that Germany’s productive capacity is also very great. Still, Mr Churchill this week referred to the enemy’s shortage in the air, and he would not have made such a statement unless he was sure of his ground. The aeronautical correspondent of the London ‘ Times,’ discussing the position in July, said that the total number of German planes destroyed byBritish arms up to that date was 6,000. To this could be added the German aircraft losses at the hands of our Allies in various other campaigns, estimated at 1,500 at least. It will be seen, then, that the German aircraft losses throughout the war at that time were not less than 7,500, excluding training accidents, crashes in setting out on and returning from operations, and machines damaged during battles. These losses in material must have cost Germany the services of quite 18,750 men. In preparation for the war, while other countries slept, she set up a vast air construction industry and an equally extensive organisation for pilots and air crews and for ground staffs.- The “ acquisition ” of so many countries must have added to the productive capacity, both for men and machines, but the antagonism of the subjugated races has also meant that Germany has to maintain a certain force of aircraft in those territories against possible revolts. It is pointed out that, though machines may be mass produced, neither the Gormans nor anybody else can find a similar means of teaching men to fly, to navigate, to drop bombs, fire guns, and work complicated radio sets. Cutting the training period to a dangerously small margin, flying crews require six months’ tuition, and even then they have much to learn. The wisdom of establishing the Empire training scheme in Canada now becomes apparent, for in the Dominion there is security from interruptions by enemy attack, and Hying is possible all the year round. In Germany air training operations are regulated ■ by the vagaries of the weather, and in winter the number of days when flying is possible must be a mere fraction of the total. From reports that come to hand from time to time it seems that the Canadian scheme is functioning efficiently. An illustration of the problem that faces Germany in I keeping up her air strength is given in the statement that some of the Gorman crews captured in the night raids over Britain were mere lads straight from the training schools. There is no doubt that the German loss in trained flying crews in operations against Britain and

tho Middle East has been serious, and the Russian campaign should add to it considerably. Germany’s offensive against the Soviet has given great opportunities for the strengthening of the air arm in Britain. With the help of American production there is every reason to hope for decisive superiority over the Luftwaffe.