INDEPENDENT AIR POLICY

Dominion, Volume 35, Issue 290, 5 September 1942, Page 7

INDEPENDENT AIR POLICY

Criticism By British M.P.

(Reeived September 4. 8.30 p.m.) LONDON, September 3.

A member of the House of Commons, Commander R. T. Bower, R.N., in a speech, attacked the heretical war doctrine propagated by many distinguished air officers that independent air forces can provide a short-cut to victory through direct attacks on the enemy’s war industries and morale. The worst effect of this doctrine, he said, had been that the R.A.F.’s whole mentality had been twisted to regard independent action as its main function, and naval and army co-operation as side-shows. Training and technical development for co-operation with the other services had consequently lagged badly.

Commander Bower estimated that about 100 divisions with relatively strong air forces and shipping would be required for the opening of a second front in Europe. He doubted, in view of her other commitments, if Britain was at present able to deploy 25 divisions. R.A.F. AND AXIS Grand Total Losses (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, September 3. The Axis lias lost 8985 aircraft in the three years of war to date, against a loss of (1231 by the Royal Air Force, according to figures issued by the Air Ministry. The fact that during the past year the R.A.F. has lost 3114 aircraft is u measure of the extent to which the R.A.F. as a whole has been able to turn from defensive to offensive. The position is particularly favourable in tiie Middle East, where the R.A.F. lias been very active. In this theatre in the past year the Axis has lost 1417 aircraft, against 1114 by the R.A.F.