The Waikato Times MONDAY, MAY 12, 1941 TOWARDS AIR SUPREMACY

Waikato Times, Volume 128, Issue 21418, 12 May 1941, Page 6

The Waikato Times MONDAY, MAY 12, 1941 TOWARDS AIR SUPREMACY

“ Bombers’ moon ” over Europe has again brought its tide of destruction. Each full moon sees the might of the Royal Air Force increasing, and in the past few days German objectives have received the most terrific pounding in history. German sources have at least admitted that British planes in very strong forces have been over Germany and that “ monstrous ” bombers have caused the greatest havoc yet experienced. Apparently the British raiding squadrons are now equalling the German raiders in numbers and the new and heavy types of bombs of vastly increased explosive power are taking a terrible toll of the German industrial resources.

If Britain is the main objective of German destructiveness then Germany is becoming Britain’s main objective. If it comes to a question of endurance, which will collapse the sooner ? Until recently Germany has had the advantage in preparedness and numbers of aeroplanes, but what will happen when the disparity moves to the other side ? That is where it is surely moving, for the potential building capacity of the British Empire and the United States must be much greater than that of the Axis. Germany intended to force a decision through aerial destructiveness, but that weapon is surely being turned against her. For that reason it may be expected that sooner or later the Nazis will place reliance mainly upon another form of attack. If she finds she is receiving more than she can give from the air, and if the battle of the Atlantic is won by Britain, Germany will be forced back upon the invasion of Britain as her last hope.

There are those who have believed that the German diversion in the Balkans and in the Mediterranean was intended as a feint, to cause Britain to relax her vigilance on the Channel and perhaps weaken her forces at home by sending a large proportion of her men and machines to the Middle East. But Germany herself has diverted so much of her strength to the east that it is more probable that she has given up hope for the time being of successfully invading the British Isles. In any case Britain has refused to be decoyed away from her main defensive post. At home she remains stronger and more resolute than ever.

Definite superiority in the air must be Britain’s first objective. Not only will it put invasion of the British Isles out of the question but it will bring the Germans home from their marauding in distant fields to guard their homeland. It will be futile for them to conquer the distant comers of Europe if Germany itself is being battered to ruin and faced with invasion. Germany has no hope of winning the war in the present European summer, and before the next campaigning season comes Britain, constantly supported by the vast industries of the United States, should at last be superior in arms. Germany has clearly seen the need for a supreme effort this summer, and it can be expected -that a desperate attempt will be made to force the issue.