BALANCE VEERING

Wairarapa Times-Age, 1 June 1940, Page 5

BALANCE VEERING

RELATIVE AIR STRENGTH HEAVY GERMAN LOSSES OF PERSONNEL. USE OF POORLY-TRAINED PILOTS. (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, May 30. Reliable estimates which have already been published that since the invasion of the Low Countries Germany has lost 2100 aeroplanes, with a loss of about 5000 personnel—three or four times higher than the losses of the Allies —are regarded as showing that the Allies have probably arrived at equality with Germany in respect of personnel, though not in number of machines. This is all the more important since the Allies, with their vast reserves in the Empire air training scheme to draw upon, are in a better position to replace losses of personnel than the Germans, who already are known to be using pilots with totally inadequate training. In view of these figures and of the unquestioned superiority of the Allies in the quality of men and machines, it can be seen that each week brings the Allied superiority in the air substantially nearer.

MARKED DECREASE IN ENEMY AIR ACTIVITY. TWELVE GERMAN MACHINES DESTROYED. (Received This Day, 10.40 a.m.) LONDON, May 31. The Air Ministry states that twelve German planes were destroyed and three damaged in the Flanders area today. One Britisher is missing. The weather is unfavourable and there is a marked decrease in German air activity. BELGIAN TROOPS NUMBERS STILL FIGHTING. (Received This Day. 8.55 a.m.) PARIS, May 31. The Belgian authorities announce that Belgian troops are still fighting. The number is unknown. According to Madame Tabouis a Belgian force, under the command of General De Krae, commander of the Liege Military Region, was fighting at six points yesterday.