ALARMIST REPORTS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 23879, 1 February 1941, Page 9

ALARMIST REPORTS

AIR AIOIA ll A STORIES

NO SIGN OF CONCENTRATION LULL DUE TO WEATHER By Teletrrnph—Press Association—Copyright British Wireless LONDON, .Tan. .30 The absence nf night bombers over Britain is thought by competent observers to be due to the exceptionally bad weather since the beginning of the year. Reports that the lull was caused by time taken to concentrate, sonic 18.000 aircraft to form an invasion armada are discredited as alarmist, together with the equally unauthenticated reports of Germany's 70,000 aircraft, half of which are fighters. The weather all over northern Europe has restricted operations on both sides. British bombers, although not forced to he idle quite so long as the Germans. have been loss active recent Iv. Waterlogged Aerodromes Probably the weather lias been less favourable to the Germans. They have been hampered for some time by a heavy snowfall, and the subsequent thaw lias resulted in waterlogged aerodromes, and the usual widespread fop; which the bow Countries experience in such circumstances. Competent observers point out that even if a concentration of German nflfc hines is being made, of which there is no evidence, the cessation of night bombing would not only be unnecessary but definitely bad tactics. Propaganda Pressure Regarding the reported existence of 35,000 fighters, it is pointed out that il Germany now has this number at her disposal a considerable proportion of them must have been in commission six months ago, in which event it is past explanation why they were not used against the Royal Air Force over Dunkirk and in the subsequent opening phases of the air war over Britain. While there is no delusion as to the strength of the German air force and of the weight of attacks which may be expected as soon as the weather improves, it is thought that the dissemination of these much exaggerated figures is merely part of continuous propaganda pressure which Germany feels she must exert somehow. MEDICAL SUPPLIES GREEK FREIGHTER'S CARGO (Received January 31, 5.35 p.m.) NEW YORK, Jan. 30 A Greek freighter has sailed for Athens with 8750 tons of medical supplies valued at over 1,000,000 dollars. RUMANIAN ARRESTS INSTIGATORS OF RISING LONDON, Jan. 30 The Berlin news agency stated that 106 instigators of the recent uprising in Rumania were arrested in Bucharest and 393 in the provinces. No names were revealed, except that of Colonel Zavoinu, former Bucharest Chief of Police. ROYALTIES TO WAR FUNDS (Received January 3t, 5.5 p.m.) British Wireless LONDON, Jan. 30 The Beaumont Birch Company, of Philadelphia, has decided to give royalties received for the exploitation of its plants in Britain to assisting the war effort. The first cheque has been sent to the Minister of Aircraft Production, Lord Beavorbrook, toward the purchase of a Spitfire.