AIR STRENGTH

Wairarapa Times-Age, 12 March 1941, Page 5

AIR STRENGTH

GREAT BRITAIN’S GROWING SUPERIORITY BIG TOLL OF ENEMY PLANES. SIR ARCHIBALD SINCLAIR GIVES DETAILS. Some details of the growing air strength of Britain were given by Sir Archibald Sinclair, Secretary of Air, in the House of Commons, states the B.BC. The strength of one command alone, he said, now exceeded half the total peace time strength of the R.A.F., and Britain's air forces would expand enormously this year. In ten months the R.A.F. had destroyed in combat 4250 German and 1100 Italian machines, for a loss of 1809 British planes. Half the Italian firstline strength and much more of the first-line strength with which Germany entered the war had been destroyed. The success of the Empire air training scheme had surpassed all expectations, said Sir Archibald Sinclair. Some remarkable performances had been put up by United States aircraft. Unless Hitler had up his sleeve a new and very effective weapon, Britain's technical superiority, combined with her moral strength, would ensure that Britain’s air position would be maintained during the year. Marshal Goering had stated that United States help would arrive too late, but, said Sir Archibald Sinclair, many types would be in Britain in time. SIXTY-FIRST RAID BRITISH ATTACK ON COLOGNE. NAVAL BASES ALSO BOMBED. The R.A.F. carried out its 61st raid on Cologne on Monday night, the 8.8. C. stated this morning. Many high explosives fell in the target areas which included a vital railway system. On the return journey two enemy aircraft were seen taking off from an enemy occupied aerodrome in Holland. A British plane attacked them and registered a hit. It also shot down a German night-fighter. German naval bases were also attacked and many high explosives were seen to burst with good effect. Two British planes have not returned.