Britain Alone In Night Bombing Specialists

Northern Advocate, 11 April 1942, Page 2

Britain Alone In Night Bombing Specialists

LONDON, April 10,

“Britain is the only country with a "reat force of night bombers whose main function is long-range attack by night,” writes Wing-Commander L. V. Fraser, in a commentary. “It can be used for many other purposes. It can attack by day, but there are few types ,;f bombers outside the Royal Air Force which could do what the Blenheims. Hampdens, Wellingtons, Whitleys, Manchesters, Halifaxs and Stirlings can do. It is certain that the Germans had no idea, until they were defeated by daylight in the Battle of 3ritain, that they would have to send uut great forces of bombers by night and in darkness. Their bombers iwere not built for this purpose, nor were their crews trained for it. Only their nossession of bases just across the Channel and their inability to bomb Britain by day induced them to attempt night bombing. Losses from crashed aircraft must have been far higher than losses caused by our defences. Proof is that once German resources in the air were really strained by the war in Russia and the Mediterranean, the night bombing of Britain ,vas the first thing they gave up. The R.A.F. was ready and prepared Cor night bombing before the war began. Our crews were fully trained for night work, which meant that methods of training were ready, like the plans Cor our four-engined bombers, and the tools and factories to make them to rope with the vast expansion of the R.A.F.

A few enemy aircraft were over the coast of eastern England for a short lime early this morning but no bombs are reported to have been dropped.

An Air Ministry communique says six enemy fighters were destroyed during a sweep by squadrons of our fighters over the Calais and Boulogne area late this afternoon. Five of our fighters are missing.