STEADY ATTRITION

Dominion, Volume 36, Issue 35, 5 November 1942, Page 6

STEADY ATTRITION

Wearing Down Axis Air Forces CHANGES IN WEST Effect On War’s Grand Strategy

(By Telegraph.—Press Assn. —Copyright.) (Special Correspondent.) (Received November 4, 7.45 p.m.) LONDON, November 3. The belief that the Allied airforces are on the eve of air strategical superiority is held by wellinformed people in London who are of the opinion that the Allied airforces have never taken a greater part in the grand strategy of the war than at present, nor have the Axis forces been so stretched. It is felt that sweeping effects can result in the coining months if the pressure can be increased. The wellknown aeronautical writer, 1 eter Masefield, is of opinion that the balance of air-power in the west has changed materially in the past few months. “Everywhere that the United Nations throw out a challenge m the air, the Axis has to try to meet it, he says. “There is hardly enough equipment to go round and the process of attrition goes steadily forward'. All round the wide frontiers of the lands Germany has occupied are Allied air daggers aimed at Berlin.” . The United Nations have air superiority over western France and Egypt, he says, while the Axis has general air superiority over the Mediterranean and Stalingrad. More than half of Germany’s operational fighter stiength is ranged against the R.A.F. and the United States Air Force in western Europe and the Mediterranean. More than half of Germany's bomber force is ranged in Russia, mostly opposite Stalingrad.

Operational Strengths. The total operational air strength of the Allies today exceeds the enemy’s not including transport aircraft. Germany’s operational strength is probably 6000 aircraft, of which roughly 2500 are fighters, including 500 in western Europe. There are about 300 fighters and 400 bombers opposite Malta, possibly 300 fighters and 300 bombers with Field Marshal Rommel, and 900 fighters and 1800 bombers in The Italians have about 1900. operational aircraft. They have probably 400 in Africa, 300 in Russia, and <OO iu Italy and Sicily, the remainder being scattered in the Balkans and the Mediterranean. Of the Allied air strength, it can be said that more than 1000 sorties have been made over Dieppe, (100 Lancasters were mustered for a single raid, and more' than 100 American bombers raided Lille, escorted by 500 fighters), that the Bomber Command's average raid today is made by more than 300 bombers and that 1000 sorties are made daily from Egypt. Thus the enemy is severely taxed and is gradually being thrown on the defensive. The measure of German inability to meet the R.A.F.’s challenge everywhere at once is seen in the lack of opposition to the Lancasters in "their two great daylight raids. Enemv shortages are becoming visible in the extremities of his occupied lands. Gradually they will extend inward till they reach the heart of the Keich. Day bombing and an extension of night bombing, army co-operation. and dive-bombing, an air-borne offensive and, lastly, the use of transport aircraft, are all being expanded by the Allies, Allied day bombing is regarded as one of the most remarkable developments. It is carried out quite differently by the British and the Americans. The former use low-flying, fast, long-range Lancasters for surprise raids, and the latter use Flying Fortresses and Liberators for “precision” bombing.

Nazi Stratosphere Bid. Meanwhile, the Germans are experimenting with-increased altitude for escape lighters. They are producing the Junkers 86P, which is capable of 40,000 feet. The greater size of high explosive bombs and the deadlier efficiency of the incendiary are the chief development of night bombing. While it is accepted that night bombing of Germany is a necessity, it is indeterminate and incomplete and must sooner or later be clinched by other action. It is also recognized that a bombing offensive loses in moral effect if it is allowed to slacken. Regarding army co-operation, it is observed that the fighter-bomber has made marked progress. The. divebomber can be rendered largely innocuous unless supported by substantial air superiority, while the naval dive-bomb-er iS essential and in co-operation with the torpedo-bomber'becomes a deadly weapon. Flying-boats have proved very valuable for anti-submarine patrolling and also for protecting convoys. Itjs generally believed that airborne operations, such as the Germans undertook in Crete, are likely to be reserved for very special occasions. On a smaller scale, they aim chiefly at harassing and destroying a definite objective. Transport aircraft are believed to be becoming more important for moving smaller numbers of troops rapidly and for bringing up urgently ' needed spares or emergency petrol, and carrying wounded and medical personnel. * It is likely that there will be far larger aircraft to carry heavier supplies over longer distances, provided they are kept outside the area of operations.