R.A.F. GROWING IN STRENGTH

Southland Times, Issue 24313, 19 December 1940, Page 5

R.A.F. GROWING IN STRENGTH

Output Doubled Since Last Year NEW FIGHTER TAKES THE AIR (British Official Wireless) RUGBY, December 17. In the four months beginning in August the British, output of aircraft and engines was double the output of last year. This was stated in a broadcast by the Minister of Aircraft Production, Lord Beaverbrook. He said also that machines were coming from the United States increasing flow of all types. Tire fighting aeroplanes were of excellent quality. Some had been proved equal to the best produced in Britain. According to programme during 1943 Zb,uuu aeroplanes would reach Britain iiom the United States. “During that year the famous 3000 a month scheme will be realized,” he said. . Lord Beaverbrook likened Hitler in his conspiracy to dominate Europe to a man sitting on a three-legged stool,

one leg being supported in the air. “We knocked from under the German leader one leg of his stool—supremacy in the air,” he said. “We have seized control of the air by day with our fighter squadrons of Hurricanes, Spitfires, Defiants and Whirlwinds. The Whirlwind is a new fighter. “But,” Lord Beaverbrook continued, “Hitler is fashioning another leg—attack on our shipping at sea.” Although the British Navy would prevail there must be assistance from the air. “We must recognize, too,” he continued, "that Hitler may be making preparations for an invasion of Britain even before the springtime comes.” Lord Beaverbrook concluded his broadcast with an appeal for more bombers. Lord Beaverbrook’s reference in his broadcast to the Whirlwinds lifted only a corner of a veil of secrecy, which cannot be lifted high except to say that the Whirlwind is one of the fastest planes in the world. The name may soon be as much a household word as Spitfire and Hurricane, but the plane’s existence is one of the war’s best-kept secrets. GREEKS SHORT OF BLANKETS (Received December 18, 9.5 p.m.) ATHENS, December 17. A shortage of blankets and woollens is seriously hampering the Greeks. Terrific cold has driven wild boars and wolves from the hills. Wounded soliders are obliged to lie on stretchers on snow heaps for hours covered with a single blanket. The Greek advance is very fast and there is no time to care for them.