SEE-SAW AIR WAR

Grey River Argus, 26 February 1944, Page 5

SEE-SAW AIR WAR

Review of Prospects (Rec. 8.50.) LONDON, Febb. 25., “The Times’s” aeronautical correspondent says: The European air war has resolved itself into a struggle ana almost a race, between construction snd destruction. In this race the lead appears to change hands each week. The German defenders one day appear to score success. Next day they unaccountably appear, to fail. It is small wonder that people of Britain are sometimes at a loss to know how to interpret the outcome of this bitter and ever-spreading battle. “The Luftwaffe, by cutting down the bomber output, now almost certainly has more fighter ’planes than it had at the outbreak of the war. The German military conquests have increased both the enemy’s factory capacity and the total number of his available aircraft'workers. “The German fighter aircraft production to-day is probably one thousand two hundred and fifty ’planes per' month. However, German ’plane production before the Allied bomber offensive was intensified was as high as fifteen hundred ’planes per month. Time is working against the enemy. The Bomber Command’s strength is increasing. More of America’s heavy machines are reaching Britain. America's Italian bases are nearing completion. The distance is being reduced between the British, American and Soviet air forces, thus making more likely an opening up of shuttle bombing from yet another direction. “Much of Germany’s increased fighter ’plane output was .intended for a strategic reserve against an Allied landing, but Marshal Goering has been forced to expend it to meet the Allied bomber offensive. The American Eighth Air Force alone has destroyed 5,352 German ’planes, of which 1,156 have been shot down this year. A substantial number has also been destroyed on the ground, plus an even greater number accounted for by R.A.F., Dominion and Allied squadrons. Even more important is a growing list of German aircraft factories demolished or damaged by Britain-based ’planes. In addition, the R.A.F's. night offensive caused great dislocation in Germany’s electrical industry, of which one-third was centred in Berlin. Enemy fighter squadrons cannot look forward to any relief. Such a constant strain is bound to make itself felt in the long run. “It is still too early, however, to suggest that the Luftwaffe is anything like a spent force. Particularly as a defensive weapon,, it undoubtedly will be able to put up ’a stiff resistance for a long time, even though its resources are severely tested by the British and American bomber offensive.” ■