THEORY OF RAIDS

Taranaki Daily News, 10 September 1940, Page 7

THEORY OF RAIDS

PRELUDE TO INVASION

Received 12.50 a.m. London, September 8. THE present "Teprisal" attacks on London appear to be a diversion from the Germans' main purpose, an endeavour to cause Britain to use up her fighters, thereby pavingthe way for unlimited bombing attacks as a prelude to invasion, a high authority told the Associated Press.

German bombing appears to be limited by the fighter strength available for escort, -so if the necessity to send iieavy fighter escorts i.s reduced Germany will be able greatly to iucrea.se the number of bombers. If this hypothcsis is correct, it explains why during Saturday s attacks against London, when nearly 700 German planes were estimated to have visited Britain, activity outside the capital was comparatively slight. In this endeavour to subjugate the British fighter strength the Germans counted on suffering considerable losses, but they did not expect to face such stubborn resistatice, which well informed quarters believe will be more stubborn

as the month proceeds. It is pointed out that September is likely to be a very critical month, in which Herr Hitler is engaging in a race against the English weather. He hopcs to gain air superiority in a week or so. Air operations are moving to a erescendo, but thc top note has not yet. been reachcd. Answering querics why formations of bombers on Saturday were able to reach central- London. the authority stressed that it was not possible for fighters to prevent a proportion of raiders from penetrating the defences. German night bombing thus far had been largely indis'criminate, he said, though apparently they were endeavouring to copy the Bri- | tish attacks against rail communications.