GALLANT AIR FORCE

Waikato Times, Volume 127, Issue 21196, 20 August 1940, Page 5

GALLANT AIR FORCE

WAR CABINET’S CONGRATULATIONS SUCCESS IN BATTLE OF BRITAIN HARD BLOWS DEALT ON GERMANY AND ITALY (Official Wireless) (Received August 20, 11 a.m.) RUGBY, August 19 It is now officially disclosed that two more Royal Air Force Pilots, making a total of 12 out of 22 British fighters shot down yesterday, are safe. In all 144 enemy aircraft 1 were destroyed. The Times, in a calm review of recent encounters, says: “ The only possible conclusion is that we have won the first round of the Battle of Britain. That, at least, is the view taken in every quarter abroad where opinion can be freely expressed, and admiration for the achievements of the Royal Air Force and our anti-aircraft gunners has been hardly less in the United States than in our own country.” Meanwhile the British offensive has been continued unremittingly. A feature of yesterday’s engagements which has given particular satisfaction is the relatively low cost at which the impressive results were achieved, and at the same time all our aircraft returned from the most effective raids over Germany and German-occupied territory. Sir A. Sinclair, Secretary of State for Air, has received the following message from Mr Winston Churchill: “ Please convey to the Commander-in-Chief of the Bomber Command the congratulations of the War Cabinet on the success of the operations against Germany on Friday night. The War. Cabinet is impressed by the skill with which both these operations and those against Italy and Germany on other recent occasions have been prepared and by the cool and sure courage and efficiency with which the fighting crews of the bomber squadrons have carried them out. “ Both the night and day bomber squadrons are dealing hard blows against Italy and Germany, and they deserve the thanks and admiration of their fellow countrymen.”