MASTERY OF THE AIR

Greymouth Evening Star, 24 July 1941, Page 7

MASTERY OF THE AIR

R.A.F. INCREASING SUCCESS i GERMAN MORALE AFFECTED "rugby, July 23. Replying to a Commons question, the Air Minister (Sir A. Sinclair) said the scope of the R.A.F.. operations was increasing both by day B and night. ‘ , . “Night bombing on a heavy scale, he continued, “is being steadily and skilfully maintained. Evidence of damage is accumulating, and will.be published as soon as it is available. By day, we are forcing a reluctant enemy to give battle. We are . inflicting substantial damage to factories, communications, shipping, and the fighter forces. What is still more important, we are compelling him to maintain large air forces in the west, to resist our growing assaults. ’ “The Bomber Command, added the Minister, dropped in May , this year, more than twice the tonnage of bombs dropped in May last year, and in June dropped more than half as much again as' was dropped in May. Speaking of air parity, Sir A. Sinclair said that no efforts were being spared to obtain, first, parity, then overwhelming superiority over the German air force. Asked whether these attacks had succeeded in bringing relief to our Russian allies, and whether there was any indication that the Luftwaffe was heading for the -west, Sir A. Sinclair replied: “I think that I had better not say what our information is about the movements of the Luftwaffe, but certainly the attacks both by day and night are bringing strong pressure to bear on the Germans, and we know they are having a considerable effect upon the morale of ,the German people.—B.O.W. ENEMY SHIPPING LOSSES.

RUGBY, July 22. The recent heavy destruction by the Royal Air Force of German coastal shipping has been the subject of discussion from a new angle by London naval circles. The increasing shortage of cargo space, it is pointed out, may well have the effect of forcing the Germans to embark on a large merchant shipbuilding programme. To such a programme, many industries must contribute. Skilled workers of many Types would be needed, as much steel, engine, and boiler construction and electrical machinery would be required. In a country organised, as Germany is, entirely for the war effort, a further diversion of labour ana material to shipbuilding would undoubiedly lessen the output of other war material, including possibly U-boats. Thus the strategical value of the coordinated British pressure is well shown. . The steady hammering by the Royal Air Force on vital land transport routes and junctions has forced the Germans to employ coastal traffic to an ever-increasing extent. The destruction of this shipping and of Üboats must have a direct effect on the Battle of the Atlantic. While there is at the moment nothing of importance to report about the Battle of the Atlantic itself, one naval observer expressed the situation as follows: “Progress is not unsatisfactory, and taking all factors into consideration it is not wishful thinking to regard the future with sober confidence, provided everybody in the cotintry does the utmost in his or her power. But, of course, we must always be prepared for ups and downs. ANOTHER BUSY NIGHT. LONDON. July 23. Besides attacking industrial targets in Frankfurt-on-. Main, Mannheim, and elsewhere last night, bombers of the Royal Air Force bombed the docks at Dunkirk, Rotterdam, and Ostend, and night fighters attacked aerodromes in northern France. From all these operations not one British aircraft is missing. ENEMY LOSSES STO 10. '' RUGBY, July 23. Seven Blenheim aircraft of the Bomber Command were out this morning and afternoon, searching lor enemy "shipping off the coast of France and the Low Countries. A coastal vessel was sunk, and another was damaged. Other Blenheims, escorted by a strong force of fighters, bombed objectives near St, Omer, early this alternoon. Our fighters encountered s number of enemy fighters, ana destroyed five. , Our losses were five bombers and five fighters. The pilot of one fighter is safe. —8.0.W.

HEINKEL SHOT DOWN. “RUGBY, July 23. An Admiralty communique states: A. German bomber, believed to be a Heinkel 111, was shot down last night by combined anti-aircraft, fire from one of our convoys and its escort, 'ine,bomber attempted to attack the convoy, but was promptly shot down. RAIDS ON BRITAIN. LONDON, July 23. Enemy activity over Britain last night was again on a small scale. Bombs dropped on an east coast district causea a few casualties and some damage to houses. A small number oi enemy aircraft approached the coast of Britain in daylight and a few were flown inland, but there were no reports of bombs being dropped. '“RUGBY, July 23. It is officially stated that no enemy aircraft crossed the coasts to-day. AUSTRALIAN BOMBERS. MELBOURNE, July 24. The Minister of Aircraft .Production (Mr. Leckie) announced that the first batch of Australian-produced Bristol Beaufort torpedo bombers would be completed in October. Another batch would be ready before the end of the year, and thereafter production would be maintained on a steadily increasing scale. Because it was powered with American engines, the - Australian-built Beaufort had to be modifiea considerably.