THE MASTERY OF THE AIR

Dominion, Volume 33, Issue 183, 30 April 1940, Page 6

THE MASTERY OF THE AIR

hi an attempt to impress upon the world—the European neutrals especially—that Germany’s position in the air is strong and unchallengeable, the Nazi propaganda machine has broadcast figures of German man-power engaged in aircraft production in support of the contention that the output of machines is so vast that it cannot be overtaken by the Allies. On analysis the comparison set out in the Nazi broadcast has been shpwn to be inaccurate. In actual fact the reverse is the truth, as was clearly shown in the British Official Wireless, statement published yesterday. The Nazi claim, however, is an interesting indication of the enemy’s state of mind. The German navy as a factor in the war situation has practically ceased to exist. As a striking force it is impotent, and British naval strategy in Norway and the approaches to the Baltic has made it impossible for the enemy to recover the initiative at sea.

The German air force has admittedly proved to have been a valuable factor in enabling the enemy’s land forces to penetrate into Norwegian territory to a considerable extent, and to establish themselves in strong positions in certain areas. It is hardly surprising, therefore, that the Nazi propagandist bureau should seize upon this, as a psychological opportunity for making exaggerated claims concerning Germany’s air strength before the allied air forces have had time to organize their landing grounds on Norwegian territory and launch counter-attacks with increasing strength and effect. So far as the outside countries are concerned, their reception of the German claims shows that they have not been at all impressed. The most significant neutral comment on the comparative air strengths of Germany and the Allies is that of the senior engineer of the American Curtiss Aircraft Corporation, Mr. Wright, whose estimate is that the Allies’ acquisition of planes, including those delivered by America, overtook the German production in January at 1600 a month, and that the Allies are now adding planes more rapidly than Germany. As the introduction of a new theatre of the war has made an additional call upon the air resources of the belligerents, the growing preponderance of this great striking force is a factor of vital importance to the Allies. The enemy’s resources have also been strained, but it. is a strain upon reserves less able to bear it. The Allies’ preponderance may be the decisive factor in Norway, as in France, and the Nazi propaganda suggests that the enemy is uncomfortably conscious of the realities of the case.