NO GROUND FOR OPTIMISM

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLVIII, Issue 21560, 24 January 1940, Page 7

NO GROUND FOR OPTIMISM

Air Menace Still Grave Question Of “When” United Frees Association—By Electric TCI egraph —Copyright LONDON, January 22. “There is no ground for the present optimism of the British public regarding the future of the air war over the United Kingdom. There is no illusion in the Royal Air Force about what can be expected. The Air Force’s attitude is that it is not a question of “if” raids come, but “when.” A Royal Air Force spokesman made this statement when replying to an article on recruiting published in a Sydney newspaper. “So far lone enemy reconnaissance aeroplanes have penetrated the defences,” he said. "This is regarded as inevitable sometimes, but the public would be well advised not to ignore the prospects of 3CJ to 400 bombers at a time seriously attacking Britain. “There is no ground, however, for excessive concern, in view of the strength of the defences.” The spokesman pointed out, in reply to the Sydney newspaper's statement that young men should not be criticised for not enlisting while official sources in London do not appear to be frank about war news, especially air activity, that the public is being informed to the fullest. Details have been published of every Air Force operation after the outbreak of war, and losses are not being withheld. It is still impossible to clear up the mystery of the “raids” on Sylt, in spite of renewed assertions from correspondents that the attacks were carried out. It is stated to be indisputable, that British aeroplanes had not attacked the German base, except on the occasions announced. The fact that Australians have been in "the thick” of every air operation since the outbreak of war is fully appreciated in Britain.