ALLIED DOMINATION IN AIR

Evening Star, Issue 24917, 15 July 1943, Page 4

ALLIED DOMINATION IN AIR

KEY TO SUCCESSFUL WARFARE DWINDLING POWER (HF THE LUFTWAFFE (N.Z.P.A. Special Correspondent.) LONDON, July 13. Features of the attack on Sicily have been the R.A.F.'s mastery of the skies and the complete absence of the Italian fleet. The failure of the Axis air forces is regarded as significant. Domination of the air has proved the key to successful warfare, but almost siiice the days of the Battle of Britain the Germans have never reproduced the tremendous air power with which they started the war. Except where they had an overwhelming superiority —Poland, France, Crete, and in the initial stages of the Russian campaign—the Luftwaffe has come off second best. The Luftwaffe has had no reply to the R;A.F.'s and the U.S.A.A.F.'s terrific bombing of Germany except fighterbomber attacks, which, in comparison, are lilie a boy with a pea-shooter. The Allies have won the mastery of the North African and Tunisian skies, and they now dominate the Sicilian sky, and they are also beating the U-boat with the help of air power. Various reasons are advanced for the Luftwaffe's dwindling power; the spreading of its forces between the west (facing Britain) and Russia, and Italy, the .heavy blow dealt the German bombers at Dieppe, the policy of producing fighters instead of bombers, and the lack of air crews, but, whatever the cause, the fact remains that the Allies have won and maintain the mastery of the air.

Unless and until the Axis can dispute it successfully the air will automatically exert the greatest influence on winning the war. Considerable interest will naturally he taken in any Luftwaffe change of policy. The opinion is expressed that sooner or later Germany must stage an all-out air offensive. The non-aippearance of the Italian fleet* about Sicily has caused rather less surprise than the disappearance of the Luftwaffe. One view is that the fleet is split, one half being at Spezia and the other at Taranto. United, it comprise.* seven battleships, niue cruisers, and many destros'ers and submarines, and would present a formidable threat. "Whatever the reason for the'fleet splitting, it is suggested that the Italians have made a. first-class blunder, as it is practically impossible for the fleet to unite to-clay to form one unit sufficiently powerful to threaten the Allies' supply lines. If ever the sectious decide to fight they will have to go into action as separate units. The opinion is expressed that a British battle fleet is probaibly operating on both sides of Sicily—covering . both Taranto and Spezia. There is no doubt in Britain what the result'of the actions would be, although it is admitted that they might hinder the landing of troops.