NAZI TACTICS

Waikato Times, Volume 127, Issue 21202, 27 August 1940, Page 5

NAZI TACTICS

BATTLE OF BRITAIN FIRST PHASE ENDED VICTORY OF AIRMEN (United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright) LONDON, August 25 Discussing the enemy’s air tactics, the Times suggests that the Battle of Britain has entered on the second phase. “The first has ended,” says the paper. “It consisted of a very heavy air offensive lasting about a week. The result is not in doubt, but it is possible we do not even now realise the extent of the victory. “That victory was won by the Fighter Command, well supported by anti-aircraft batteries, searchlights, balloon barrages, counter-action by bombers and air raid precautions services. A not inconsiderable loss of life and destruction of property was suffered by the defence and some military damage also, although nothing serious. “Even where most devastation has been wrought, it is absence of it, rather than its extent, that is surprising. Even in south-eastern ports and seaside towns which enemy bombers could reach within a few minutes of rising from their aerodromes, neutral observers, who have been allowed to go where they would, have been astonished to discover how small has been the damage. Nazis Went to Death “The losses of the attack, on the other hand, exceeded all our hopes. Wave after wave of bombers supported by fighters came over to deal death and destruction, and went themselves to that fate. In the first attack on Croydon, for example, not one German aircraft escaped, not one pilot returned to report what he had effected or what he had seen. “It may well be that this series of battles will long be remembered in the story of warfare as the first instance of the offensive on a great scale being carried out entirely by the air arm under circumstances as favourable as it can usually hope to find, and routed with great loss. “The second phase, like the first, leaves us so far unshaken. We are well aware that far heavier trials to our defences and our spirit may be in store. We know that instead of, or simultaneously with, a further offensive against this island, a strong campaign may be launched in the Mediterranean against our fleet in those waters, our forces in the Middle East Command and the Suez Canal. Whatever may come will be met in the same spirit. “We know, too, for certain, although we hardly doubted it, that if the invasion of Egypt should be attempted—and Egypt includes the Westem Desert up to the Libyan frontier—Egypt will fight and her forces will serve beside our own. Apart from material reinforcements, the spirit in which this declaration was made is welcome. Worst Perils Will Be Over “A difficult and even critical period may be ushered in with the third phase, but there is reason to hope that when we have fought our way throught that our worst perils will be over. The fourth phase should be easier to meet, and the fifth—who knows—may mark the first counteroffensive.” Turning to the sporadic raids to which the German Command appears to have reverted, the Times observes: “The amount of damage likely to be caused by such incursions is very slight, the amount of military damage practically nil. Yet there is a certain difficulty in bringing raiders to account. Nevertheless, the proportion of aircraft shot down to those which come over has probably been nearly as great as in the mass raids. “On the whole, it seems likely that this stage represents merely an interlude between two offensives, although there can exist no certainty that that which follows will resemble that which preceded it.”