Smash Luftwaffe Then Invade Continent

Manawatu Times, Volume 67, Issue 109, 11 May 1942, Page 5

Smash Luftwaffe Then Invade Continent

Terrible Summer for Germany

(By Telegraph—Press Assn.—Copyright.) Received Sunday, 9.20 p.m. LONDON, May 10.

British plans were to smash the German air force and then *nvade the Continent, Sir Archibald Sinclair (Air Minister) revealed in a speech at Birmingham. The Minister said he did not know how long it would take to finish off the Luftwaffe. but he promised it a terrible summer.

“The initiative is passing from Germany to the United Nations. The time is come when we are beginning to hit back hard but on a scale only foreshadowing that of the Anglo-American force *o come. -This is the Battle for Britain reversed. We had in 1940 better pilots, better training and better aircraft. But now we have a greater number. Moreover, whereas the Battle of Britain lasted a couple of months the Luftwaffe knows it must fight without respite all the summer. Also in 1940 we knew that if we won the Battle of Britain our airpower would increase, but the Luftwaffe knows that its power is waning.

“We must, therefore, give it no rest. We must hammer it out of shapeWhen that will be completed I do rot know. But then will come the invasion of the Continent. I believe the people and Government are united *n their determination to attack the German armed forces in Europe, but the plans must be well laid and the time carefully chosen.

“Meanwhile the R.A.F. won't leave the Russians to fight Hitler alone. Hitler is now forced to fight under conditions not of his choosing. Hitler did not choose to expend bombers nightraiding Britain but was forced to do this in order to bolster up German morale. The boot is now on the other foot. Germany cannot remove her industries from the Ruhr which will remain an R.A.F. target until it is destroyed or Germany has accepted defeat."