The Waikato Times THURSDAY, DECEMBER 10, 1942 BATTLE FOR AERIAL SUPREMACY

Waikato Times, Volume 131, Issue 21907, 10 December 1942, Page 2

The Waikato Times THURSDAY, DECEMBER 10, 1942 BATTLE FOR AERIAL SUPREMACY

General Arnold, commander of the United States Army Air Force, believes that a great struggle for air supremacy is imminent in North Africa, and that the decision there may also decide the future of air power in Europe. Germany is faced with the necessity of making a decision of vital importance. If she intends to hold Tunisia she has no choice but to meet the aerial challenge there by Britain and the United States, for it seems almost certain that the army with superior air cover will be victorious. On the other hand, will Germany be willing to make North Africa an aerial battleground which will decisively result in superiority or inferiority in the air in Europe as well as Africa ? After all, the battle for Europe must be regarded as the final test of victory or defeat —unless Germany hopes to regain control of North Africa. If the aerial battle is to be fought out to a finish in Tunisia, Germany will have at least the temporary advantage of shorter distances from which to gather her forces. But on the face of it there seems to be little likelihood that the enemy will throw into the struggle a greater number of planes than can safely be detached from the defence of Europe. Otherwise Germany would risk defeat and throwing southern Europe open to attack from North Africa without adequate air cover, which experience has shown would be fatal. It remains largely a matter of comparative air strengths. If the Allies could transport planes and the means to service them to Tunisia they could achieve superiority without a doubt. For the clash of fighters the Allies must build or capture forward aerodromes and establish supply and servicing bases, for fighters have very limited range. In large-range bombers the Allies appear to have the upper hand in North Africa, and that is important because the Germans have only a few aerodromes in Tunisia and these can be subjected to constant attack. Sicily and other islands in the Mediterranean are extremely useful to the enemy, but these too are being pounded mercilessly by British and American bombers. Strategically placed Malta is now proving its value to the Allies and justifying the long resistance to the Axis aerial siege. Clearly the United Nations are called upon to transport as many planes as possible to North Africa. Fortunately, a sufficient force to meet the Germans will be available without unduly weakening defence or attack in other theatres, if the transport can be provided for fighters. Whether the same can be said of Germany is very doubtful. The land offensive in Tunisia in the meantime is obviously waiting upon the great aerial battle which General Arnold expects in the near future.