HEAVY GERMAN AERIAL LOSSES.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 6, Issue 286, 22 June 1917, Page 2 (Supplement)

HEAVY GERMAN AERIAL LOSSES.

Shortly before the launching of the British offensive near Arras, the daily loss of British air machines was unpleasantly heavy, and there were not wanting pessimists who believed that our airmen were outclassed, and that tlit, enemy had secured the mastery of the air. Later figures showed that the Allied losses over a longer period compared favourably with those sustained by the enemy. For some weeks now, however, Sir Douglas Haig's messages have revealed \ series of remarkably heavy Germau losses, and comparatively few missing British machines. An analysis of the details of aerial casualtics published in official messages since thj beginning of May shows conclusively that the British airmen are moro than holding their own at the present tune, and are subject.ug their German antagonists to some very severe handling. But, as an Australian writer puts it, the mere fact that the enemy are suffering heavier losses at the present moment than the British are, does not prove, therefore-, that his airmen are hopelessly outclassed, any more than our own heavy losses before the Arras battle proved that our airmen or machines were inferior. The enemy's defence on the Western front is seriously threatened, and he is throwing in his reserves in a ivekless manner in order to avert a collapse. Apparently his airmen are carrying out a similar move. If tiie Bntislir airu.cn continue to show such satisfactory results rs theso achieved during the past few woeks, however, the wastage amongst German pilots t.nd machines will no doubt He as serious a factor .is the present, drain on Gorman ir:«.ii-no»vur.