AIR WARFARE

Evening Star, Issue 23690, 25 September 1940, Page 10

AIR WARFARE

ADVANTAGE WITH BRITAIN ENEMY FORGED TO CHANGE TACTICS R.A.F. HITTING HARD IH GERMANY (British Official Wireless.) Press Association —By Telegraph—Copyright RUGBY, September 23. Air Marshal Sir Philip Joubert, broadcasting to the United States, discussed the changes of policy forced on the Luftwaffe and the attacks by the R.A.P, on objectives in enemy and occupied countries. “ Early in August the Luftwaffe attempted (o invade this country in daylight and by sheer force of numbers beat down our defences. That effort cost them dear. The enemy then sent over individual bombers, using also covers to attack vital objectives. The loss of many of these louo raiders made him change again, and his third scheme was to send occasional strong forces to bomb our airfields and communications. One of these attacks lost 20 per cent, of its numbers. Then he tried escorting small numbers of bombers with powerful fighter forces to get through to our vital points. In this fighting our losses became heavier, but we still took greater toll of the German air force, in particular its fighters. NIGHT BOMBING, “ So Hitler comes to night bombing a form of attack hard to parry. There is. however, one distinctly hopeful sign. We are beginning to take reasonable toll of these night birds, and we are getting on well with night interception. 1 hope to see during the next few weeks figures steadily mounting until the proportion of German casualties by night approaches that by day. In night fighting once the casualties become severe the moral effect is larger than by day. Setting off together in largo formations in daylight bombers and fighters give each other courage, but at night a single pilot and crew have no outside source from which to draw additional stores of courage.” R.A.F. OFFENSIVE. Turning to the R.A.P. offensive, Air Marshal Joubert emphasised that physical disadvantages were suffered owing to the fact that, whereas the German bomber force had only a short 20 minutes’ flight to reach England, R.A.P. bombers must fly four or five times that distance to reach Germany. “ Naturally we are loth to bomb targets in Prance. Certain of these we have to attack, such as Channel ports and fields on which the German air force is disposed. Against these we can develop the full effect of our bombers’ strength, but we are reluctant to carry the war any further into Prance, even into the occupied portion of the country. We would much sooner be hitting the Germans in Germany, and it is this we shall go on doing. Berlin, Stettin, Leipzig, Bremen, and Hamburg—all these towns regularly feel the weight of our bomber attacks, and even if we have to make a long and' hard journey to get at them the effort is worth while. This is not retaliation. No good soldier, seaman, or airman believes in retaliation by itself. The only way to bring an enemy down is to hit those things which contribute to' the maintenance and development of his armed forces. Our inflexible aim is to pursue this course.” INVASION PREPARATIONS. Discussing the German preparations for invasion, Air Marshal Joubert said. “ For the Germans to use successfully the weapon they have forged they must have air superiority over the south-east of England. With this power in their hands it would be possible for the Germans to seize a harbour with airborne troops, and after establishing such a bridgehead to use small steamships to bring over reinforcements, and thus develop a powerful offensive on land. We are prepared for this. I do not believe that the Germans will be able to obtain air superiority, and our land and sea defences are strong. I think most of us feel that we would like the matter put to the test, and wo are awaiting with impatience the German decision to make their gambler’s throw.” TRAWLER BRINGS DDWN RAIDER LONDON, September 24. (Received September 25, at 8 a.m.) An armed British trawler drove off a German plane in the Channel this afternoon, after which the raider plunged into the sea in flames. UNITED STATES WARPLANES BRITAIN’S SHARE OF THE OUTPUT BOSTON, September 24. (Received September 25, at 12.10 p.m.) Mr .Knudseu stated that Britain would get about 40 per cent, of the United States aeroplane output in the next 18 months. GOLD PRODUCTION INCREASE IN SOUTHERN RHODESIA (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, September 24. (Received September 26, at 10.55 a.m.) The highest monthly production for 23 years was achieved hy the Southern Rhodesia gold mining industry during August. The total production for the first eight months of the current year exceeds 500,000 ounces, a figure higher than the two previous years.