GROWING AIR STRENGTH

Southland Times, Issue 24164, 28 June 1940, Page 5

GROWING AIR STRENGTH

Higher Production In Britain MORE IMPORTS FROM U.S. (United Press Assn.—Telegraph Copyright) LONDON, June 26. The Minister of Aircraft Production, Lord Beaverbrook, stated that aircraft production for the week ended June 22 was the best yet. There was now no complaint of a shortage of aircraft. “We have been most successful in repairing damaged aircraft,” said Lord Beaverbrook. “We have made up and improved upon our losses since May 10, and we are at present stronger in every category. I am not for one moment saying that our aircraft is sufficient for our ultimate needs, but a great deal has been done. Imports from the United States are continuous and improving.” Munitions supplies from America are now reaching Britain in large quantities and there is complete disagreement in authoritative quarters here with the suggestion made in the Press statement by Senator Key Pittman, chairman of the United States Senate Foreign Relations Committee, that what the United States is able to contribute cannot affect the result of the war.

His view that Britain is totally unprepared for defence is wholly at variance with that of the British Government’s naval, military and air advisers, whose considered opinion is that there are good and reasonable hopes of final victory. This opinion was the basis of the decision that the war should be prosecuted unremittingly “if necessary for years, if necessary alone.” WARM APPRECIATION A Ministry of Information announcement tonight emphasizes that the warmest appreciation is felt in Britain for the magnificent effort now being made in the factories and workshops of the United States t help the Allies in the coming struggle. Britain is facing it with confidence and is determined to c„rry it through to victory. This confidence is strengthened by trustworthy information that has recently reached London that in Germany, war weariness is already setting in and that the German people, who have been living on short commons and suffering many privations, are very tired after a difficult winter.

There is also evidence that the senior officers of the German Forces have, as a result of the Flanders fighting, acquired a healthy respect for the British Army.

The Royal Air Force established such a reputation for dash during that campaign that the early estimates of possibilities of reducing British resistance by air attack.have recently undergone a marked modification.

The Royal Air Force established the initiative early in the war and has never ceased to exploit it, as the almost daily and nightly bombings of the key industry towns in North-West Germany and the Ruhr have shown.

Confidence in the strength of the British defences grows stronger here each day, while it is believed that the Nazi leaders’ second thoughts upon the invasion of Britain are probably less sanguine than in the first flush of their successes in Belgium and France, though that does not mean that the attempt will not be made. Germany’s successes on land have confronted her with grave economic difficulties which may well compel Herr Hitler to seek a decision with the least possible delay.

PATROL ACTIVITY ON LIBYAN COAST CAIRO, June 26. A statement issued from General .Headquarters says: “Patrol activity continues on the Libyan coastal front. Our patrols have been active north-west from Jarabub. Three Egyptian soldiers were killed and 18 wounded during the Mersa Matruh raid on June 23. There were no British casualties.”

The Libyans are showing reluctance to fight for the Italians. Many of the mobilized natives refuse to wear the Italian uniform.

The Italian General Headquarters of the armed forces issued a communique stating that there was nothing worthy of mention on the metropolitan front or in North Africa. “In East Africa there were unsuccessful British attempts to bomb Asmara and Diredawa," it stated. “Two enemy aeroplanes were shot down. An attempted air raid on Naples was foiled by the intervention of our pursuit aeroplanes and anti-aircraft guns which put the enemy to flight”