ENEMY AIR STRENGTH

Waikato Times, Volume 129, Issue 21600, 10 December 1941, Page 5

ENEMY AIR STRENGTH

JAPANESE AND GERMANS BRITISH MARSHAL’S VIEWS (United Press Assn. —Elec. TeL Copyright) (Received Dec. 10, 11.50 a.m.) CAIRO, Dec. 9 “The Japanese air force will be under a great handicap when it meets fighters who have learned to fly in this war,” said Air Marshal Drummond, deputy-Air Commander-in-Chief in the Middle East, in an interview. “The Japanese have never had to fight a real air battle yet and consequently have not been able to learn from experience, as our squadrons have done.” Air-Marshal Drummond made no attempt to discount the prowess of the enemy’s air force in the Western Desert at present. He said the German pilots fighting in Libya today are a picked bunch. Though their numbers may be small they know how to make themselves most felt. They let the Italians meet the main attack and wait and pick off special targets themselves. And the latest improved Italian fighter planes, backed by the Germans, must not be under-rated. The enemy has a far more formidable air force now than when the first German push was made in Libya. Owing to the ease with which the Germans can obtain reinforcements and replacements for their pilots, the number of their planes announced as destroyed or damaged does not by any means indicate that their air strength has been seriously diminished.