THE AIR SITUATION.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume IV, Issue 964, 14 March 1917, Page 11

THE AIR SITUATION.

SEVERE CONTEST AHEAD. STRUGGLE FOR SUPREMACY. By Cable. — Press Association. — Copyright, Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. (Received March 14, 1.55 p.m.) LONDON, March 13. In the House of Commons, Mr J. I. Macpherson (Parliamentary UnderSecretary to the War Office) slated that the average British weekly air casualties for six weeks were 7.6 killed, 8.(5 wounded, and 4.2 missing. The War Office was satisfied with the best types of machines at present employed, but certain machines were not up to the best standard. These were being replaced rapidly. The air situation on the West front was at present undecided. All the belligerents had utilised the winter to increase and improve their services, and we must expect severe contests before we obtain a superiority sufficient to drive the enemy again upon the defensive. The German air service would never be able to perform work comparable with ours. The situation resembled that of a year ago, when the Germans, after resting and reinforcing, severely contested the air supremacy until our superiority was re-established. The Germans last year concentrated at Verdun, and now on the British front. This was probably connected with the German retirement. There had never been an absolute air mastery on the West front. We were continuously sending reinforcements of machines and material to the front, and had reason to hope that they would again establish superiority, but onlv after severe fighting.