REVIEW OF WARFARE IN AIR

Southland Times, Issue 24241, 26 September 1940, Page 8

REVIEW OF WARFARE IN AIR

REPEATED FAILURE OF NAZI RAIDS ON BRITAIN

(British Official Wireless) RUGBY, September 23.

Air Marshal Sir Philip Joubert, broadcasting to the United States, discussed the changes in policy forced on the Luftwaffe, and attacks by the Royal Air Force on objectives in enemy and occupied countries. He said “Early in August the Luftwaffe attempted to invade this country in daylight, and by sheer force of numbers to 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 lone raiders made him change again. “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 a greater toll of the German Air Force, in particular of its fighters. So Hitler comes to night, bombing—a form of attack hard to parry.

TOLL OF THE NIGHT BIRDS “There is, however, one distinctly hopeful sign. We are beginning to take reasonable toll of these night birds. We are getting on well with night interception. I hope to see, during the next few weeks, the 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 large formations in daylight, bombers and fighters give each other courage. At night, the single pilot and crew have no outside source from which to draw additional stores of courage.” Turning to the Royal Air Force offensive, Air Marshal Joubert emphasized the physical disadvantages suffered because of the fact that, whereas the German bomber force had only a short 20 minutes’ flight to reach England, the Royal Air Force bombers must fly four or five times that distance to reach Germany. RELUCTANT TO BOMB FRANCE He added, “Naturally we are loth to bomb targets in France. Certain of these we have to attack, such as the Channel ports, and fields on which the German Air Force is disposed. Against these we can develop the full effect of our bomber strength, but we are reluctant to carry the war any further into France, even into the occupied portion of the country. We would much sooner be hitting Germans in Germany, and it is this that we shall go on doing. Berlin, Stettin, Leipzig, Bremen and Hamburg, all these towns have regularly felt the weight of our bomber attacks, and, even if we have to make long, hard journeys 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 the 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.” GAMBLE OF INVASION

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 south-east 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 the Germans will be able to obtain air superiority, and

our land and sea defences are strong. I think most of us feel we would like the matter put to the test, and we are awaiting with impatience the German decision to make their gamblers’ throw.”