IN FULL SWING

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24896, 21 April 1942, Page 5

IN FULL SWING

BRITAIN'S AIR OFFENSIVE GREAT NON-STOP SWEEPS RUGBY. Apl. 19. Britain's long-promised r.ir offensive is in fall swing, as a study of operations of the past week shows in a striking manner. Some observers even express the opinion that it is already comparable with the Luftwaffe's offensive during the Battle of Britain. The Ruhr has suffered three heavy raids. Hamburg was 'an important target, while North Italy was raided for the first time in several months. For sheer weight and numbers, the R.A.F.'s great non-stop sweeps over Northern France. Holland and Belgium have been most impressive. One London newspaper correspondent today puts (he nurr.ber of sorties of sll kinds made from Britain during the week as at least 3000. Yet British losses by day were only 25 fighters (two pilots safe) and eight bombers. The Germans, although on the defensive, lost 20 fighters. At niglV the R.A.F. lost 36 bombers—a small Moss in view of the terrific hammering deait the Germans. In addition, the bomb loads now being dropped on Germany are heavier than the Luftwaffe ever dropped on Britain, except on a few of the worst nights. As the new four-engined bombers come into operation, these loads will increase to a marked degree. Mr Churchill's Message

Pictures of Lubeck released by the Germans are printed widely in the newspapers here to-day. and show the immense damage done in one of the principal streets. The German caption reads: " One of the most damaging raids of the war." Mr Churchill has sent the following message to Air Marshal Harris, commander-in-chief of the Bomber Command:—" We must plainly regard the attack by Lancasters on the Üboat engine factory at Augsburg as an outstanding achievement by the R.A.F. Undeterred by heavy losses at the outset, the bombers pierced in broad daylight into the heart, of Gevmanv and struck a vital point with deadly precision. Pray convey the thanks of the Government to the officers and men who accomplished this memorable feat of arms, in which no life was lost in vain." Comparison of Losses The heavy, widespread British air offensive against Germany and occupied territory cost the R.A.F. 45 bombers and 24 fighters for the week ended April 19. A further nine aircraft were lost in the Middle East. In the same' period the enemy lost 23 aircraft in Europe, 22 in the Middle East, and 2 over Britain. Speaking in his constituency, Dundee, Mr Dingle Foot, Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Economic Warfare, said that aircraft of the R.A.F. Coastal Command had flown more than 50,000,000 miles during the war, and during the past two years had escorted 7000 convoys by making 5500 operational sorties.