FAILURE TO INVADE BRITAIN

Southland Times, Issue 24273, 2 November 1940, Page 5

FAILURE TO INVADE BRITAIN

NAZI AIR FORCE LOSES PRESTIGE (United Press Association—Telegraph Copyright) (Received November 1, 11.30 p.m.) LONDON, November 1. The Times in a leader says: Germany lost about 250 planes over Britain in October, compared with the usual monthly total of over 1000, but, if the material casualties were fewer, the loss of prestige was far greater. Figures confirm that the attempt to blast a way for invasion has definitely failed. The reported use of Italian, planes must be an effort to mask the repulse of purely German forces by a demonstration of Axis solidarity, but it cannot conceal the fact that smaller numbers are delivering the attacks, also that fighters and fighter-bomb-ers, capable of carrying smaller loads, are employed and that the tactics were revised to avoid combat. Moreover, the attacks are generally less intense even at night time. Enemy losses at night are heavier despite the use of fewer planes, which may be an additional sign that Germany cannot hope to do at night what she failed to do by day. The defeat of the air attack as an instrument of invasion does not mean that the threat of invasion has passed. We must recognize that mastery of the air must still be won everywhere, and the possibility of a renewed assault against Britain is not merely something the enemy wants us to believe.