British Air Inferiority

Northern Advocate, 9 May 1940, Page 5

British Air Inferiority

The First Lord of the Admiralty (Mr Churchill) said: “In this war we have frequently been asked why we do not take the initiative. The reason is the failure to regain and maintain air parity with Germany. “The numerical deficiency of the Air Force has condemned and will condemn us for some time to much difficulty and suffering and danger, which we must endure until more favourable conditions are established.” He added that the immense German air strength made an attempt to dominate the Skagerrak with surface craft too costly to be adopted. Important forces would have been necessary to maintain a steady surface patrol. Losses able to be inflicted from the air would undoubtedly very soon have constituted a naval disaster. “We, therefore, adopted a submarine blockade, following the opinion of naval authorities. “This has been a costly success for Germany, 7000 or 8000 men having been drowned. “Thousands of corpses have been washed up at the entrance to Oslo.

“What is the loss of 7000 or 8000 men to the totalitarian States? “What does mat matter to a Government such as we are fighting “Their losses are not announced. “Criticism is not allowed. “If there had been a cry or a whimper it would probably have been dealt with by a brutal blow.” Prudence and Daring. Mr Churchill added that the reason that no big ships had been sent to Narvik on the first day with the destroyers was that only one was available, and that was a battle-cruiser. “We have only two battlecruisers, and W'e felt it would be the greatest damage to the fleet’s balance if we lost one. “When the Warspite entered the fiord the Admiralty was greatly relieved to find that no minefields or destroyers were lurking •in the narrow angle ready to fire a bouquet of torpedoes. “If the Warspite had been sunk we would have been told it was madness to send one of our most valuable ships into narrow, congested waters. “If you dare and the forfeit is claimed, it is murder to your sailors. “If prudence witholds you, you are craven, cowardly, inept and timid.”