AERIAL ACTIVITY

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23507, 18 November 1939, Page 11

AERIAL ACTIVITY

GERMANS OYER FRANCE RECONNAISSANCE FLIGHTS MACHINES CROSS BELGIUM By Telegraph—Press Association —Copyright LONDON, Nov. 17 The French official war communique states that there was little activity on the Western Front during the night. There was local activity by patrols yesterday. The Germans have taken advantage of the improved weather to carry out reconnaissance flights over north and north-eastern France. Reports from Paris state that the machines come by way of the North Sea, but many take the direct route over Belgium. A Belgian anti-aircraft gun yesterday fired on two German aeroplanes that flew over their territory near Liege. It is stated that German machines are making a habit of violating Belgian neutrality. They follow the valley of the river Mouse in the daytime and find their way back by the lights of Belgian cities. A German bomber was sighted yesterday flying over Swiss territory. It was later seen near the French town of Grenoble, flying in a south-westerly direction.

INFERIOR MACHINE GERMAN MESSERSCHMITT WEAKNESSES IN COMBAT (Received November 17, 5.5 p.m.) British "Wireless LONDON, Nov. 16 Aerial actions on the Western Front confirm tho pre-war reports of Norwegian, Swiss and Spanish pilots that tho German standard single-seater fighter Messerschmitt 109, although extremely fast, lacks manoeuvrability and stalls very easily. The first defect was displayed in a number of combats in which the Messersclimitt was outclassed by the French Curtiss Hawk as well as by the British Supermarine Spitfire. An example was provided in two dogfights on November 6, each between nine Messersclimitts and seven Curtiss machines. In all four Messersclimitts were destroyed with no French losses. The effect of the consciousness of inferior manoeuvrability on a pilot is not to be under-estimated. Regarding tho liability to stall it is regarded as significant that very few Messerschniitts have flown at night, presumably owing to this defect.

52 CASUALTIES AIR MINISTRY LIST THREE NEW ZEALANDERS LONDON, Nov. 10 The lOfch Air Ministry casualty list contains 52 names and includes PilotOfficer W. G. McCrackeri, of Melbourne, missing; Pilot-Officer J. W. Boreham. of Dunedin, missing, believed killed; Squadron-Leader L. S. Lamb, of Wellington, and Pilot-Officer D. H. Robertson, of Westport, killed on active service. The total comprises 33 killed, one missing believed killed, eight missing, two prisoners of war, and eight died on active service. AIRCRAFT ORDERS NO DELAY CAUSED UNITED STATES POSITION WASHINGTON, Nov. 17 The State Department does not confirm the report that British and French orders for .American aircraft are being held up pending a legal interpretation of the "cash and carry" clause of the Neutrality Act. Tho position is that certain Californian aircraft firms were told on inquiry that thev would have to show that the cash part of the clause was being rigidly observed liefore they would be allowed to make shipments.

ITALY ON ALERT SOVIET ADVANCE IN EUROPE RESISTANCE INDICATED HOME, Nov. 16 Signer Francesco Coppola, a noted Nationalist, writing in the Gazetta del Popolo, appears to define the conditions of Italy's intervention in the war. He states: "Italy will never permit a further Russian advance, namely, across the Carpathians to t>he Danube Valley, nor into the Balkans, nor toward the Mediterranean."

BREACH OF PACT CHARGE AGAINST SOVIET TROOPS SENT TO LATVIA LONDON. Nov. 10 The Stockholm correspondent of the FiXcliange Telegraph Company says it is reported that the Russian troops' dispositions in Latvia far exceed those stipulated in the pact. Soviet troops advanced to the rural areas around Libau and Windau and are reported to have occupied five neighbouring towns not mentioned in the pact, from which foreigners have been ordered out.

TURNING POINT HISTORY OF MANKIND LONDON', Nov. 10 General- Sikorski, Polish Premier and War Minister, speaking to the Foreign Press Association, said that mankind was now at a turning point in history, and must choose between the two forms of collective existence at present contending for supremacy. Poland lias made her choice. Slip knows she can onlv exist in a united and consolidated Europe.

RED CROSS FUND TOTAL NOW £657,000 (■Received November 17, 5.5 p.m.) British Wireless LONDON, Nov. 3 0 The Lord Mayor's Bed Cross and St. John Ambulance Fund rose to £657,000 last night. Among the donations was £2OOO as a first instalment from the South African Bed Cross Society.