GERMAN AIR STRENGTH

Evening Star, Issue 25067, 7 January 1944, Page 3

GERMAN AIR STRENGTH

BEING SAVED FOR INVASION BIG FIGHTER FLEET BUILT UP RUGBY, January 5. German inaction against the recent fierce onslaughts on .Northern France is due to two reasons, said an R.A.F. commentator. The first is the Germans are- conserving their fighter strength to deal with deeper Allied penetrations on more vital targets, and, secondly, they are endeavouring to build up a reserve for the prolonged battles on the second front, but they are as determined as ever to protect Germany itself. This is shown by the ferocious opposition of fighters to the largescale bombing attacks. Lt is still further emphasised by the fact that Germany now has 1,000 more fighters in the 'front line than in 1942—" a very rennarka'ble achievement." This was part of their policy of conservation which began in 1942, when they went over to a defensive strategy and started to build up their fighter strength. This was hampered by R.A.F. raids on factories, which cost the enemy a great part of his intended production. Despite this, the actual size of the Luftwaffe increased in 1943, showing the extent of German efforts. But in building their fighter force the Germans weakened their bomber strength, which has been on the down grade for some time. In addition to this the Germans used JU. so's and other heavy aircraft for transport work in Russia, Tunisia, and Sicily, and lost a considerable number as a result. The crews of,these aircraft could have been used for the specific purpose of training bomber crews generally, and their absence has had a considerable effect on the pre-sent-day bomber personnel, who axe below the 1941 standard. These causes have crippled the fighting strength of their bomber force. Furthermore, 1943 was not a fruitful year for bomiber production. The Germans are now beginning to turn out four-engined heavy bombers, which they never previously possessed, but their Heinkel 177 is still not a satisfactory aircraft. On the other hand, the R.A.F. in 1943 dropped 136,000 tons of bombs on Germany, compared with the total of G 5.000 tons which the Luftwaffe dropped on Britain 6ince the war began and 2,400 tons in 1943. Coastal Command also made 40.000 sorties in 1943, against 30.000 in 1942. Aircraft casualties in Coastal Command were less in 1943 than before, and. although confronted with new weapons, new tactics, and stronger U-boat - armament, it sank more submarines in 1943 than in the three previous years combined.

Fighter Command also increased its attacks on shipping last year, and, in attacking three times as many ships as ever before, it sank three times as many. Fighter Command in 1943 made 555,000 sorties, of which 90,000 were offensive.

In the Mediterranean the Air Command in 1943 dropped 110,000 ton 6 of bombs, made 350,000 sorties at a casualty rate of less than 1 per cent., destroyed between 3,500 and 4,000 aircraft, and attacked 1,000 ships, of which 250 were destroyed.