FIGURES CHECKED

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

FIGURES CHECKED

COMPLAINTS IN BRITAIN MINISTER DEFENDS SYSTEM ALLEGATIONS OF DELAY (United Tress Assn. —Elec. Tel. Copyright) LONDON, Aug. 20 Referring to complaints which have been made about the speed with which reports of air raids over Britain have been published, compared with those emanating from Germany, the Secretary of State for the Dominions, Viscount Caldecote, in the House of Lords, pointed out that while it was a comparatively simple matter for the Germans to give their entirely inaccurate figures, “ the British figures were scrupulously and perhaps over-elaborately checked.” Lord Caldecote stated that 699 Nazi aircraft had been destroyed since August 8 and later explained that there was a considerable number of enemy losses never published, but put in the official records as “ unconfirmed or probably lost.” The British figures of Nazi losses could be relied on to the extent of being an understatement. Dealing with material damage. Lord Caldecote said that inflicted by the Nazis in Britain was light compared with the destruction worked in Germany by the Royal Air Force. “ British raids are not mere terror bombings,” the Minister said. “ They are directed against military objectives which have been carefully identified and accurately attacked, so that the pressure will be constant and increasing. These are not mass attacks that cannot be persevered with. Success up to the present has been impressive. “ Our airmen in the Middle East have been no less gallant and successful against an enemy not always unworthy in the air and they have shown consistent daring and energy.”