BRITISH EFFICIENCY

Taranaki Daily News, 13 September 1940, Page 8

BRITISH EFFICIENCY

BOMBING SUPERIORITY London, Sept. 1. Seven reasons why Royal Air Force night bombing is far more effective than that done by the Germans were given to-day in a special interview by MajorGeneral Sir Charles Gwynn. Formerly Director of Military Art at Duntroon, and later commandant at Camberley (England) Staff College, Sir Charles Gwynn is one of the most noted military cbmmentators. The reasons he quoted were as follows:— 1.— Landmarks in Germany are more easily recognised than in England. The new motor roals, tbe canals and the siting of industrial centres on large rivers all assist. . 2— German over-confidence in the invulnerability of Germany resulted in over-concentration of military establishments. 3.— The numerous preliminary reconnaissances made by the R.A.F., together with its high standard and team-work. 4.— R.A.F. pilots are better equipped to face heavy anti-aircraft fire and to dodge searchlights. 5.— The German air force is short of highly-trained instructors, owing to its recent formation. G. — A crew that shirks and bombs at random is apt to do so repeatedly. -The R.A.F. rule— that a pilot who is unable to locate his specified target must bring back his bombs— is a salu'tary one. Indiscriminate bombing is deprecated in the the R.A.F. , not merely on humanitarian grounds, but because it undermines the- pilot's efficiency and morale. 7.— The R.A.F. has been increasingly developing its power by concentrating its effort against really important targets. The aviation correspondent of the Daily Telegraph says steadily increasing numbers of British bombers are operating nightly against Germany, but it must not be supposed that even now Britain's maximum effort has been exerted on any occasion. Unlike the Germans' nightraiding, that of the R.A.F. has become a highly important war operation. The offensive against Germany will shortly he intensified, for bombers more powerful than the present types are being produced and soon will be used by squadrons.