RED AIR FORCE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 12 January 1943, Page 4

RED AIR FORCE

TAKING VERY VITAL PART IN OFFENSIVE MORE ENEMY AIRCRAFT DESTROYED. THAN CAN BE REPLACED. (By Telegraph—Press Association —Copyright) (Received This Day, 10.30 a.m.) LONDON, January 11. The astounding feats of the Red Army have tended to overshadow those of the Red Air Force, but the facts are that Russian aircraft, combined with the Russian weather, are destroying more aeroplanes than the Germans can replace, states Peter Masefield, an aeronautical correspondent. He expresses the opinion that a real test is likely to come with the approach of spring, when the Luftwaffe may be worn down to such an extent that the Soviet forces will be able to advance with an air cover as complete as that which the Eighth Army enjoyed in Africa. Despite extraordinarily difficult flying weather, Russian squadrons have been more active during the flast seven weeks than throughout the summer. Obviously the Russian High Command, with incredible restraint, held aircraft in reserve last summer against the time when an offensive could begin. Mr Masefield estimates the Red Air Force operational strength at about 3000 aircraft of all sorts, which are divided into five separate air forces, four of which are in the west and one in the east. Russia’s air industry probably is turning out between 1500 and 2000 aircraft a month. The Soviet operational types are of high quality. The Russians are also using Hurricanes, Kittyhawks, Bostons, Mitchells and Marauders.