SMASH LUFTWAFFE

New Zealand Herald, Volume 79, Issue 24270, 11 May 1942, Page 5

SMASH LUFTWAFFE

ROYAL AIE , FORCE AIM BOOT ON THE OTHER FOOT INVASION OF THE CONTINENT (Reed. 5.35 p.m.) LONDON, Ma,« 9 "Britain plans to smash the German Air Force and then invade the Continent," the Air Minister, Sir Archibald. Sinclair, revealed in a speech at Birmingham. He said he did not know how long it would take to finish off the Luftwaffe, but he promised it a terrible summer. Sir Archibald added: "The initiative is passing from Germany to the United Nations. The time has come when we are beginning to hit back hard, but on a scale only foreshadowing the British and American force to come. This is the Battle for Britain reversed. We had in 1940 better pilots, better training and better aircr»ft, but now we have the greater number. Moreover, while the Battle of Britain lasted a couple of months, the Luftwaffe knows it must fight without respite all summer. Also in 1940 we knew that if we won the Battle for Britain our air power would increase, but the Luftwaffe knows its own power is waning. "We must therefore give the Luftwaffe no rest. We must hammer it out of shape. When that will be completed I do not know, hut then will come the invasion of the Continent. I believe the people and the Government are united in their determination to attack the German armed forces in Europe, but plans must be well laid and the time carefully chosen. "Meanwhile, the Royal Air Force will not leave the Russians to fight Hitler alone. Hitler is now forced to fight under conditions not of his choosing. Hitler did not choose to expend bombers night raiding Britain, hut was forced to in order to bolster up German morale. The hoot is now on the other foot. Germany cannot remove her industries from the Ruhr, which will remain the Royal Air Force target until destroyed or Germany has accepted defeat." "V" ARMY FAREWELLED PREPARATIONS FOR ACTiON (Reed. 5.35 0.m.) LONDON. May 9 In a farewell broadcast to the " V '' Army, Colonel Britton said: " I have been speaking weekly for nearly a year. I will not speak again until the moment comes to indicate a particular line of action which will be needed, but I cannot tell what that line will be. Until the moment comes I will be working with my colleagues on important plans. I do not wish to say more about these plans for the " V " Army's offensive."