BATTLE FOR LONDON

Greymouth Evening Star, 3 December 1940, Page 7

BATTLE FOR LONDON

DEFEAT OF GERMANY NO OBJECTIVES ACHIEVED [BY CABLE. —PRESS ASSN.—COPYRIGHT ] LONDON, December 2. After raging for 12 weeks, the greatest air battle in history —the autumn battle for London—has ended. The result is a technical victory for the Royal Air Force and a military defeat for Germany. The battle began on September 7, though there were heavy raids against England before that date. Losses of enemy-aeroplanes over England were greater in August than in any succeeding month, namely 1101 compared with 1093-in September, 264 in October, and 222 in November, but the strategy' and purpose of the. attacks in August were different. The August raids were designed to break our fighter strength while bombarding the south-east and south coasts and southeastern England in preparation for an invasion and for greater aerial attacks.

The “blitzbombing” 1 of London was more a battle to paralyse half England physically and smash it morally. It was an attempt to immobilise road and rail transport and wipe out food stores for millions, not only in London but all over the country.

Though there were times in the first few weeks when the question was asked whether London could continue to take the punishment it was receiving, the blitzkrieg failed. Of 29,000 Londoners killed and admitted to hospital in 12 weeks, 23,700 were killed or injured in the first seven weeks, but in the next four weeks the average was below 1300 and in the twelfth week below 500. Deaths dropped from an average of 421 in the first two nights to none on November 26, and daily average was only 23 in the twelfth week. Indeed, in spite of the awful toll of those first days, the weekly average throughout the blitzkrieg is now 1000 killed and 1400 sent to hospital. The technical superiority of the Royal Air Force equipment and men is largely responsible for the steady reduction in the casualties although the increased use of civil defence measures is also an important factor. Anti-aircraft defences, fighters, and the balloon barrage have brought down an average of 107 raiders a week during the' blitzkrieg. For six weeks, improved methods adopted by the Germans for dealing with interception have reduced the proportion of British to German aeroplanes brought down from one to five in the second week to an average of one to 3.7 during the blitzkrieg. That is, the blitzkrieg has cost Germany and Italy (Italy contributing 20 planes) 1288 aeroplanes, while Britain has lost only 345. It is authoritatively stated that the raiders carried an average of three members in the crew, making a loss of 3864. Britain saved all but 163 of her airmen. Apart from the diminution in the casualties, the effects of the raids on the civilian population -were also satisfactory. Official statements have revealed that the key industries have refused to allow production to fall off. One hundred and nine of the total of 331 raids during the blitzkrieg have been at night, averaging seven hours 32 minutes compared with an average of 46 minutes for day raids, but essential night work has been carried on. Newspapers have come regularly, and postal and railway operation have not been interrupted. Factories' working three shifts have stuck to their jobs. Reichsmarshal Goering has disorganised but not disrupted London life. He has killed and maimed many thousands of Londoners, but damage has been repaired and services restored.

During November, 48 British aircraft were lost over enemy or occupied territory and enemy waters. Fifty-nine Italian aircraft were destroyed excluding those brought down in the Grecian theatre. Eighteen Royal Air Force machines were lost in the same areas during the month. The total German and Italian victims of the Royal Air Force for November were 293. Total Royal Air Force losses in all war theatres were ‘ 120. However, 27 British fighter pilots were saved. ATTACKS ON PORTS LONDON, December 1. Although there has' been no invasion of Britain, and though the German anti-aircraft defences have not proved infallible, the German propaganda machine keeps telling the people of Germany that Hitler has an infallible plan for bringing Britain to her knees. The German submarine blockade was also to have been an infallible means in achieving victory. This has gone the way of all other plans, and the latest announcement is to the effect that German aeronlanes will rain down destruction on British harbours and ports, making it impossible for Britain to obtain supplies. By this means the German people are being told that the plans of their leaders are infallible.