Manawatu Evening Standard. TUESDAY, MAY 14, 1940. THE WAR IN THE AIR.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LX, Issue 140, 14 May 1940, Page 6

Manawatu Evening Standard. TUESDAY, MAY 14, 1940. THE WAR IN THE AIR.

One outstanding fact in, tlie recent operations in Norway was the marked . superiority of the Nazis in the air. Their treachery enabled them to seize every one of that country's aerodromes, and they were able to exploit their success to the fullest extent in spite ; of the gallant bombing operations of the Royal Air Force which struck deadly blows at the enemy’s machines and air facilities, But as fast as aeroplanes were destroyed new craft were flown from Denmark and Germany and the runways repaired. As Mr Churchill told the House of Commons,, Trondheim • Fiord presented no serious difficulty, but the fact that a large number of valuable ships would have to be exposed continuously for many hours to close bombing attacks meant that grave losses would probably have been sustained. So Trondheim copld not be captured by a direct attack because of this very important factor. The German assault on Holland and Belgium is another matter, however, and both the British and French Air Forces are able to meet the Nazis on terms of equality and show their superiority. The same technique as applied to Norway was employed by the ruthless invaders of the Low Countries. Their first movement was directed towards the \ aerodromes which they tried to capture by bombing and the landing of troops by parachute. Holland was desperately attacked in this manner and the important airport at Waalhaven (Rotterdam’s aerodrome) captured. But so vigorous a bombardment came with the utmost speed from the British Air Force that the Dutch were able to recapture it on Saturday morning, and the Netherlands Foreign Minister could say that the Germans do not hold a single Dutch aerodrome. ' The celerity with which the British and French air divisions liavq acted is of paramount importance in •this war, in which aeroplanes and their personnel are to play so very important a part. The British attack on the Germans a,t Waalhaven is typical of the new warfare. Commenced early in the evening it was of four phases. The aerodromes and buildings were battered in the first onslaught; the second and third added to the immense damage already done, and in the final attack the already devastated airport was bombed continuously for some time, causing further destruction, particularly among! the German aeroplanes which had landed there. It was this daring and concentrated attack that enabled the Dutch, though not without loss, to recapture the aerodrome next morning. A similar grand story, is told in connection with the attack on Nazi machines on the beach not far from The Hague. These had landed troops, but will not fly again so drastic was tlie treatment they received

from the British airmen. The German forces invading both the Netherlands and Belgium have been subjected'to severe strafing. Their mechanised columns have suffered sharp losses, being continuously harried as they sought to advance in the new theatre of war. The week-end was a glorious opportunity for the Allied Air Forces, the French playing their role decisively and receiving help from the Dutch and Belgian forces. More than a hundred German aeroplanes were destroyed with serious loss of trained airmen. Britain’s fighting force also suffered, but the Nazis have had it clearly demonstrated that the unequal conditions in Norway do not obtain on the Continent and the Allied air forces are not at all inferior to the boasted might of Germanv.