293 PLANES LOST

Waikato Times, Volume 127, Issue 21207, 2 September 1940, Page 7

293 PLANES LOST

BRITISH “BAG” FOR WEEK ABOUT 700 NAZI AIRMEN ALLIES’ STRONG POSITION (Omclal Wireless) (Received Sept. 2, 11.30 a.m.) RUGBY, Sept. 1 In the week August 25 to August 31 the German Air Force lost in attacks on Britain 293 planes. That is the number claimed by the Air Ministry as shot down by Royal Air Force fighters and anti-aircraft defences, and it must be remembered that enemy aircraft listed as “probably destroyed” or “damaged” and which are never mentioned in official communiques sometimes equal the number claimed as definitely destroyed, so the actual losses of German planes are always greater than the conservative claims of the Air Ministry make apparent. The majority of the German losses are planes carrying multiple crews, so the loss of personnel is far greater than the number of planes claimed by the Air Ministry. Last week’s total of 293 included six Domier 215’s, which have a crew of four; 21 Domier 107’s, with a crew of three; 18 Heinkel Ill’s, with a crew of four; 28 Messerschmitt 110’s, with a crew of two; one Junkers 88, with a crew of three; and 19 bombers of an unspecified type, while the remainder of the 293 are a mixture of single-seater fighters and multiple crew bombers and fighter bombers. It is fair to assume that the loss of these 293 planes represents a loss of over 700 trained airmen. In the same week the losses of the Royal Air Force were 113 fighters in the defence of Britain and fifteen bombers taking part in raids on Germany.

As the fighters were operating over this country those who took to parachutes were picked up. These numbered 69 during the week. The total loss of Royal Air Force personnel during the week was probably about 110, some of whom may be prisoners in Germany.

Thus the comparative losses of the week are: Luftwaffe planes, 293, personnel about 700; Royal Air Force, 128 planes, personnel 110.