SIX MONTHS OF WAR

Wairarapa Times-Age, 2 March 1940, Page 5

SIX MONTHS OF WAR

BRITAIN’S SEA AND AIR EFFORTS STEADILY GAINING IMPETUS. IMPORTANCE OF NEW TYPES OF AIRCRAFT. , (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, February 29. Next Sunday Britain will have been at war with Germany for.six months. The first few days, even, saw dramatic events on the sea and in the air. and it is in those two elements that in the intervening months the struggle has been mainly pursued. Mr Churchill’s speech on the Navy Estimates on Tuesday showed how successfully the Royal Navy has coped with the situation, the only surprises in which have been the new illegalities practised by the enemy. In the air, where the activities of the German and British air forces have followed different lines, a review of the situation shows that, with the Empire effort gaining impetus and the production of newer and even better machines, the second six months of the wax - is likely to prove an even more favourable period to the Allies in the air than the six months just ending.

Increasingly the German air effort is directed against British and neutral shipping, with results which drew from Mr Chamberlain the remark that such practices are "not war but murder." The R.A.F., on the other hand, has maintained and established patrol work in the North Sea and reconnaissance activities directed against enemy naval and military objectives. LONG-DISTANCE FLIGHTS. The British long-distance reconnaissance flights into the German Reich lately have included Austria and Bohemia again. As with the magnetic mine—now known to have been in secret preparation for years to attack Britain's lifeline —Germany's air attacks on shipping are apparently part of a long-term plan, the essence of which seems to be to strike at Britain in a way in which Britain cannot very well strike back at Germany, and to refrain from measures which would invite immediate ; and overwhelming counter-attacks. It is considered here that Lord Chat-, field's recent assertion that Britain’s air strength will be brought into play at the right instant may well have dispelled any German hope of success in such a plan. The Allies’ growing air ascendancy, backed by the great Dom'nicn air-training scheme, is bring- ;■ n.ibe time when that declarat :: may be put to the proof. Well-informed commentators note .. at after a short period of compara'ivc immunity from loss there has recently been a rise in the casualties in•flictcd on raiding German aircraft. As the n-'.v defensive measures become i> ; , 1c?- factor suffered by may ?"p::c’sd io increase. ;WRM : N LOSSES. -1- ■ .n ?:cst:ng to note that analysis :f !he Germaii aircraft known to have been- shot down in raids on Britain cws that by far the largest propor■n fell to the guns of R.A.F. fighters. . majority came down in the sea off f:,-!'"' coasts —only four on British sril. WwrM •'.’•c now definitely known have- ;. li. n n mu ral countries Mio:: ■ ngeg.-.men' with the British air

defences. It may safely be assumed a proportion, similarly damaged fell in German waters or crashed in enemy territory. Experts here emphasised that the air war is being fought on drawing boards and is design shops no less than in the sky. In this respect the Allies have greater facilities for the manufacture and purchase of advanced types. Also, since Britain and France started serious air rearmament long after Germany’s bombing fleets were already built, what'they lacked in numbers at the outbreak of the war they have gained in modernity of design. But design marches on. Already crack fighters and bombers in the service of both sides are rendered obsolescent bj T newer types of stocks. Details of the new British types may not be disclosed, but it is no secret that the demand for still higher speeds, greater fire power, and increased range have been most successfully met in both defence and counter-offensive aircraft.

It is true that Germany, faced with the growing obsolescence of thousands of aircraft which so far have been used only as threats, is making strenuous efforts to keep abreast of design. New Heinkels which are said to be fitted with a new type of Daimler-Benz motor of a total output of 4500 horsepower, giving a top speed of 350 miles an hour, are spoken of. But it is confidently stated by British experts that just as the Vickers Spitfires and Hawker Hurricanes have mastered the existing Heinkels and Dorniers the British designers will have an answer to any new German types.