PROWESS OF THE R.A.F.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23708, 15 July 1940, Page 6

PROWESS OF THE R.A.F.

All the three fighting services of the Empire can be trusted to give a good account of themselves. Each in its way has won distinction since this war began, warranting the utmost confidence in its ability to meet whatever emergencies have yet to be faced. It is therefore with no forgetfulness of others' achievements and fitness for further exploits that mention is to-day made of the notable record of the Royal Air Force in all spheres of operation and particularly of its prowess in raids on the Continent. Day by day, night by' night, in recent weeks, this intrepid and clever body of airmen have carried out a daring schedule of flights with the object of crippling German air attacks at their manifold source. Beyond effective denial by an enemy given to exaggerate "its own successes and to [ belittle those of its opponents, these raids ha.ve • done much to. lessen

Germany's prospect of accomplishing an invasion of the British Isles. Enemy aerodromes, munition works, petrol stores, seaplane bases, barge concentrations and coastal facilities have been persistently bombed, and this succession of harassing blows has been extended deeply into German territory. Even the losses suffered in these useful onslaughts add convincingly to the proof of our airmen's superior daring. More than ever it is clear that, although in numerical strength the Allies' air forces have been at a disadvantage, they are, man for man and machine for machine, capable of doing more than hold their own. Special interest attaches to reports received at Ankara, from travellers in Germany, recounting the effect of K.A.F. raids on the Rhineland, where the Gestapo has taken extreme measures to prevent disclosure of results. Altogether, the British record in the air is the more noteworthy because of Germany's known expectation of being supreme there.