Debit And Credit

Northern Advocate, 14 September 1940, Page 6

Debit And Credit

WHILE it is only natural that attention should be focussed, for the time being, upon the attacks which are being made on London, there is the strongest reason why British people should give attention to the work of the R.A.F. in Germany and German-occupied territory. Material for comparison of the achievements of the R.A.F. and the German Air Force is provided today. It should be carefully analysed. If this is done there will remain no doubt as to the state of the ledger.

While German planes were indiscriminately bombing London during six nights, doing very little damage of military value, but stiffening the fighting spirit ’of the population, bombers of the Royal Air Force were continuing the series of raids upon which they have been engaged for several months. However, it is the record of the past six nights which provides eloquent testimony to the manner in which Britain has been piling up points in her favour.

Here are the things which the British bombers have done on the Continent while men and women in London have been “working by the light of fire with death at their elbow.” Raids on enemy aerodromes: 23 in France, 18 in Germany, 10 in Holland, and two in Belgium; 15 raids on German forests, which were set on fire; 35 attacks on the German railway system, including the large Potsdam station in Berlin; 29 raids on German and German-occupied docks and shipyards, where fires and explosions were caused; 12 raids on barge concentrations; five on canal and river systems; 14 on munitions works; eight on aircraft factories; 16 on oil refineries; nine on fire stations; seven on gun emplacements in France and 11 on shipping. In addition to this formidable list, three raids were made on Italian objectives of a valuable character.

It is good to read this list,'and to compare it with the German killing of British women and children and the destruction of buildings the existence or non-existence of which is immaterial to the conduct of the war.

There is no doubt as to the position on balance, especially when is remembered the insult offered to the nation by the bombing of the Royal Palace and the great cathedral beneath the cross of gold which shines over city and river, and where rest the bodies of the good and the great, whose names are enshrined in the hearts of the nation. This msult will co?t Hitler dearly.