AIR DEFENCES

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 83, Issue 27, 3 February 1939, Page 7

AIR DEFENCES

GERMAN STRENGTH UNPRECEDENTED BARRIER (Indeiiendent Cable Service.) Received Feb. 2, 5.15 p.m. BERLIN, Feb. 1. Writing in Der Wehrmacht, the official organ of the High Command, Lieutenant-General Kitzinger, commander of the western fortifications, says that Germany’s air defences, which were constructed under FieldMarshal Goering's personal direction, constitute a barrier of a size and strength never before achieved. Ali hangars, anti-aircraft batteries and j searchlights are protected by armour backed with concrete. The air defences run parallel just behind the entire length of the fortified zone. POWER IN THE AIR RUSSIA’S WEAKNESS AND GERMANY’S STRENGTH COL. LINDBERGH’S REPORT Received Feb. 2, 11.50 p.m. TORONTO, Feb. 1. Lord Lothian, who is visiting here, revealed that Colonel Charles Lindbergh warned the British Government concerning Russia’s weakness and Germany’s strength in the air shortly before the Czech crisis. Colonel Lindbergh, acting on Lady Astor’s advice, gave a report on the subject to Sir Thomas Inskip, then Minister for Co-ordination of Defence. Lord Lothian adclej that British air power would probably never equal Germany's, which Colonel Lindbergh characterised as the greatest in the world. Lord Lothian intimated, however, that British military aviation was rapidly improving. TO BE CONTINUED BROADCASTS IN GERMAN r British Official Wireless. ] Received Feb. 2, 5.5 p.m. RUGBY, Feb. 1. Regarding the reference by Herr Hitler in his speech on Monday to broadcasts in the German language from Britain, it is stated in London that no question of the discontinuance of the present arrangement arises. “If there is tension in the work to-day, it is almost exclusively due tc the agitato of the irresponsible international Press, which insists oi agitating and raking the nerves ol unhappy mankind,” said Herr Hitlci in his speech at the opening of the Greater Reichstag. “An attempt been made in the last few months tc use wireless for these criminal designs. If those broadcasts into Ger many do not desist we shall soor reply to them in kind.”