BRITISH OFFENSIVE

Waikato Times, Volume 127, Issue 21198, 22 August 1940, Page 7

BRITISH OFFENSIVE

FELT ON THE CONTINENT LARGER BOMBER FORCE HELP FROM DOMINIONS (United Pref s Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright) LONDON, August 20 Speaking in the House of Commons, the Secretary of State for Air, Sir Archibald Sinclair, said the number of British fighter squadrons in the front line and ready for operations against the enemy was higher now that it had ever been. “In spite of weeks of intensive fighting,” Sir Archibald said, “we are not neglecting the offensive spirit. We are strengthening our bomber forces and the weight of our offensive is being felt ever more heavily in Italy and Germany. “Our efficient system of defence, comprising fighters, guns, balloons, searchlights and observer corps, explains why the much larger German heavy bomber force has been unable to inflict damage in Britain comparable with the damage which we are inflicting in Italy and Germany.” After mentioning New Zealand, Australian, Canadian and South African participation in air warfare, Sir Archibald paid a tribute to pie work of contingents of Britain’s European Allies. He added that a Belgian pilot the other day destroyed four German aeroplanes and probably a fifth. “We also have some splendid young men who have come from the United States to join our squadrons,” Sir Archibald said. “We welcome this brotherhood of arms. No Terrorism Intended “We shall never use our air power as in instrument of mass terrorism. Our blows will continue to be directed against the enemy’s aerodromes, aircraft factories and other centres of military supply, but wherever the instruments of cruelty and oppression are forced, the strong arm of the Royal Air Force will reach out —it is reaching out this very night—and through it we shall break the fetters with which Hitler seeks to bind the peoples of Europe.” Mr O. E. Simmonds (Conservative —Duddleston) said the crux of the air war was not machines but crews. The German wastage of pilots on August 11 was 2.8 times the British; the following day it was 5.2 times; on August 15 it was 10.6 ‘times; and by last Sunday it was 14.4 times.