TRIUMPH OF HURRICANES

Waikato Times, Volume 128, Issue 21361, 4 March 1941, Page 4

TRIUMPH OF HURRICANES

Success without parallel in the annals of aerial warfare has been achieved by the Royal Air Force in Albania. In two engagements British airmen have shot down 44 Italian machines without themselves suffering a single loss. The reason is apparently superiority in men and machines. For the first time British Hurricanes appeared over Albania. Italy will have cause to remember their advent. Facing older machines which have so far been operated by the Allies in Albania, the Italians have maintained some show of resistance there, while in every other sector they have been almost chased from the skies.

The Italians were evidently taken by surprise. In the first engagement a force of 50 enemy machines were met by the new Hurricanes and 26 of them were sent hurtling down. Swift attacks followed in other areas, and besides the 44 Italians definitely destroyed it is believed numbers of others were put out of action. The Greeks added their quota by destroying two more. It is clear that the Italian service machines are no match for the British craft—or their crews are hopelessly inferior. The same story has been told wherever the two forces have clashed. Italian air opposition in Africa is no longer a serious factor, although the Germans are attempting to make good the deficiency in Libya.

The intervention of the new British force in Albania may have a profound effect on the Greek campaign. Until now the Greeks have been at a serious disadvantage in rnechanised and aerial equipment; otherwise they would perhaps have pushed the Italians into the sea. Spring is coming, and in the next few months vital changes may occur in the campaign in Albania. At present thaws and floods are interfering with movements on both sides. Italy no doubt plans to employ her superior equipment as soon as conditions permit. The arrival of the new British air force is probably in anticipation of a renewed attempt by the Italians to regain the lost ground or at least to hold up the slow but relentless advance of the Greek army.