BIGGER NAZI AIR FORCE

Southland Times, Issue 24184, 22 July 1940, Page 5

BIGGER NAZI AIR FORCE

Growth Of British Production (United Press Assn.—Telegraph Copyright) LONDON, July 20. The aeronautical expert of The Sunday Times says that the German Air Force is still far bigger than Britain’s. Its first-line strength is estimated at 18,000 planes, but there is reason to believe that Germany does not possess sufficient trained crews. The total includes probably 3000 troop carriers, the remainder being bombers and fighters in equal ratio. Germany’s output is probably 1800 of all types a month. This is an increase of 500 a month since the outbreak of war, but does not represent the peak. British production now exceeds Germany’s, and British bombers are inflicting terrific damage on Germany’s factories, for which reason it is reasonable to hope that the Royal Air Force will materially reduce Germany’s output in the next few months. The writer adds that the number of trained crews is the bottleneck of German strength. She produces 60. planes a day, but crews cannot be trained at that rate. For this reason many are diluted with Italians. Germany has lost 1000 men and 300 planes in attacks on Britain since the outbreak of war. British losses in raids against Germany are far smaller than Germany’s, leaving the total balance well in Britain’s favour. AERODROMES ATTACKED The Air Ministry evening communique states: Last night our bombers attacked enemy aerodromes and seaplane bases along the coast of north-west Germany and northern Holland. They bombed aircraft factories at Wismar, on the Baltic coast, at Wenzendorf, near Hamburg, and Bremen. Oil plants at Bremen and Gelsenkirchen and railway communications in Ruhr and near the Dutch frontier were also attacked. Two enemy fighters were engaged by our bombers and severely damaged. During the night aircraft of the Coastal Commmd attacked the naval base at Emden and the port of Harbingen (Holland). Three of our aircraft are missing. Two more enemy aircraft were shot down by our fighters today, making four in all.

Further reports show that heavy damage was inflicted by Royal Air Force bombers on enemy aircraft factories in a series of raids carried out over wide areas of north-west Germany last night. The FockeWulf works at Bremen were seen to be damaged as the result of an attack lasting an hour and a-half. Buildings which formed part of the works were hit, while an aerodrome adjoining was also struck by high explosives. One of our aircraft which arrived soon after heavy bombs had been dropped saw what he first took to be new buildings under construction. He then found that they were part of a factory which had collapsed from earlier bombing. Bombs were dropped on the Dornier seaolane factory at Wismar on the Baltic coast. Large fires broke out near slipways and sheds were hit as well as three runways near a group of hangars. Another Dornier works, at Wenzendorf, were also badly damaged. The factory area was straddled by heavy bombs. As one bomber left a column of smoke was pouring from the factory. FIRES STARTED IN DOCKS

Enemy aerodromes were attacked, among them The Hague, where the aerodrome was full; illuminated and in use. At Norderney fires were started

in docks and bombs burst in a line which extended from the aerodrome to the beach. The aerodrome on the island of Langeogg was hit, and fires resulted from another raid or. Texel. Wilhelmshaven docks were again athcked in spite of particularly heavy anti-aircraft fire and balloon defence. Attacks were made on some of the basins and wharves in the dockyards. A synthetic refinery at Gelsenkirchen, which has alread; suffered much damage, was hit and a fire resulted. At Kamen five bombs were seen bursting among an oil refinery building. An oil plant was bombed at Bremen, where hits were also obtained on quays. Railway sidings were bombed at Essen and Oldenburg, and main line tracks were cut south of Recklinghausen and Lunen. On the way out one of the bombers was intercepted by a Messerschmitt HO which attacked it from astern. The rear gunner held his fire until the enemy was within close range. The German aircraft then turned over and dived, apparently out of control. Another bomber was also attacked by a Messerschmitt 110 and put a burst of tracers into the enemy. “As he persisted in the attack,” said the pilot, “he was given another burst a point-blank range. This caused him to turn and dive towards the sea.” Krupps works at Esson were attacked during widespread operations over north-west Germany and the Rhineland by Royal Air Force bombers last night. Part of the works were hit by high explosives and within a few minutes an explosion made evident the success of the attack.