The Gisborne Herald. WITH WHICH IS INCORPORATED “THE TIMES.” FRIDAY, DECEMBER 22, 1939. WAR IN THE AIR

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20127, 22 December 1939, Page 6

The Gisborne Herald. WITH WHICH IS INCORPORATED “THE TIMES.” FRIDAY, DECEMBER 22, 1939. WAR IN THE AIR

Had they not been overshadowed by more sensational developments far more importance would have been attached to this week's reports of aerial activity. As it is, the German press and radio have concentrated on this feature of activities with the obvious intention of distracting attention from the serious blows which have been struck to German prestige in other spheres. It seems probable, however, that a dispassionate investigation of recent air battles would reveal that here, also, Germany has come off very much second best. It is one thing for Germany to claim vic-

tories “over the air” and something entirely different to be able to secure them “in the air.” Since the battle over the Heligoland Bight was admittedly the biggest of the war to date, it is important that the rival claims should be considered in an attempt to appraise the merits of the opposing air forces. The task is rendered difficult, however, by the absolute unreliability of German reports. It would be easy, of course, to dismiss unpleasant news from enemy sources by simply branding it as untrue and if

this were the only answer to it the public of the Allied countries might be excused for wondering if, perhaps, they were themselves being misled. Fortunately, however, German reports are subject to check in various ways and the more these checks are applied the more is public opinion likely to accept the Allied versions of war activities.

Those who listen to the broadcasts from Berlin will long since have realised the fatuity of official German news. Some months ago, for instance, they heard it claimed repeatedly that the Ark Royal and the Renown had been sunk, yet this week Berlin calmly announced that the same two ships were en route to Montevideo to wait for the Graf von Spee. Definite assurances were given that the Graf von Spee was not damaged in battle, but a day or two later the same radio station was protesting that the Uruguayan Government had refused time to allow the damage to be repaired. The Columbus is the first merchant ship which Berlin admits to have been scuttled, and this has been typical of the German news services; their own losses have been completely ignored and those of the Allies grossly exaggerated. The same complete unreliability has been apparent in reports of aerial activities. After raids on Britain, for instance, it has been the invariable custom to announce that all the German planes returned in safety, notwithstanding the indisputable facts that machines have been shot down in British territory and the crews either interned or buried. Now that the German air force has been reduced to attacking fishing trawlers it is claimed that naval vessels have been sunk, although the identity of the ships must be apparent.

It. is against this background of mendacity that German reports of the latest air battles must be reviewed. Within two minutes the other night Berlin variously reported that 34, 36, more than 40, and 41 British planes had been shot down over Heligoland. Britain admits that seven machines did not return, of which two, apparently, landed in the sea on their way home, their crews being rescued. It is stated from London that nothing like 36 machines were engaged in the

raid on Heligoland, and this statement may be accepted because nothing would be gained by sending such a large force on a raiding expedition of that nature. Britain, in turn, claims more than 12 enemy victims and although the difficulty of making an accurate count is recognised this seems to be a reasonable figure in the light of past experience. Indeed, time and again it has been shown that British reports under-estimate the enemy losses. What is known definitely, since it is subject to reliable check and is not a question of propaganda, is that in approximately fifty raids on Britain Germany lost at least 21 machines while the Royal Air Force did not sustain a single loss. Here, again, Germany denies the losses but claims various successes. Wherever it is possible to put German reports to the test they are discredited and in these circumstances the public need have no hesitation in accepting the- British news as complete and reliable.

The important point that emerges from this consideration of the war in the air is that British supremacy seems to have been clearly established; and to a far greater extent than might have been expected. It is recognised that in aerial warfare the heavy bomber machines are at a disadvantage against the lighter, faster, and more manoeuvreable fighters. In these circumstances the raider is severely handicapped and expects proportionately heavier losses. This, in fact, has been the experience of German raiders, of which 21 were lost over Britain alone without a single British casualty. On the other hand, it has now been shown that the British raiders can more than hold their own against German fighters so that, without being unduly optimistic, it is possible to claim that the Royal Air Force is superior both in attack and defence. If further proof of German inferiority is required it can be found in the recent attacks on defenceless British shipping vessels. These cowardly attacks might be likened to a would-be robber who, lacking the courage and initiative to make a risky hold-up, contents himself with taking “candy from kids.” And that colloquial phrase effectively sums up what Germany chooses to regard as successes. The enemy’s lack of initiative can now be understood. Beaten on the sea, inferior in the air, and hemmed in on land, the writing is already on the wall and the defeat of the enemy is only a matter of time.