1941-01-29 — Page 7

Air Battle For

Britain

F. A. de V. ROBERTSON

from Dunkirk

the Thames Estuary, the of these reports the Navy can

the

naval

entirely of A.A. Germans call it) numbers of

some than most,

dived through

a gap, risking collision with the balloon cables, and planted 'five bombs on or near Buckingham Palace. The clouds offered cover to the raiders when British fight- ers approached. Usually, daylight raids had not lasted longer than an hour or an hour and a half, as that was about the extent of time which the short-range Messersch- midts of the escort, with their limited tankage, could stay over England. On that Friday morn-

ing, with the clouds providing cover, the bombers were not ciz cumscribed in time by that con- sideration, and they did consider- able damage.

were

arranged between Britain/Bomber Command of the Royal the West and the North. But near- | subsequent nights at irregular in- fighting spirit of the German air-

tervals.

the

air

agreement between Brit-test in the air which has been in It is obvious to all parties that ain and Turkey is that it

a hostile landing in Great Britain navigators have not shown them result. The R.A.F. Bomber Com-

selves adepts at the art.

mand was working on a definite reflects the confidence in is only possible If the enemy can

The next stage in the argument plan. The greater part of its work win a temporary and at the very

is this. If the Luftwaffe is to have was done by night, for the fine Britain's position. It re-least a local superiority in the air,

a free hand to make the above training of the navigators and and that this superiority must be gisters the recent gains fairly complete for the time and mentioned attacks, it must be able bomb-aimers made it possible for to overcome the opposition of the them to find and to hit tärgels, for British prestige. One at the chosen spot. Another neces-

British defence, and chiefly that while the German defences, con- sity is to neutralise in some way of the Fighter Commander. If the sisting almos of the most discouraging either by force or by evasion, the

During the period of concen- tasks facing the Chur-opposition of the Royal Navy, but German bombers felt themselves fhre (Flak, the

able, with or without fighter es- supported by great

trated attacks on London, up to chill Government must which it is proposed to examine.

in this article it is the air aspect corts, to force their way to our searchlights, inflicted a very small the time of writing, the raiding The problem before an invad-bomber aerodromes and factories, propertion of casualties. The plan on other parts of the country grew have been that of repair- ing chemy must be to convey his the next step would be for them was roughly to take first things notably less. It is interesting to to carry out that operation. But | first; and the most immediate ob- | speculate on what was working ing the damage done to troops across the sea in surface

thejectives were the factories in the in the minds of the German High onwards

Command. For have consistently Ruhr, oil plants and depots, th

the time they Britain's cause through crati (air-borne troops can only

RAF fighters. be ancillaries at the best), in seize

shown themselves able to ove transport system, ai the aero- abandoned their plan of striking the earlier giving of guar-some point on the British coast

raids even dromes and harbours along that the nests of the Fighter Com-

France and the antees that could not be and secure it against the efforts come mass daylight

Low mand. They seem to have realised of the defending forecs during the when the raiders were escorted coasts of

Occasional diversions that in fine weather daylight raids backed up. In the diplo- disembarkation, and afterwards to by dispoportionately large num- Countries,

hers of Messerschmidts. Therefore were made to factories in North- were useless, and that fighter es- matic scramble that pre-spot and the main base on the the neutralisation of the R.A.F

ern Italy and to German naval corts were ineffective. Doubtless targets in they were net particularly con- ceded the war such guar- Continent. The enemy may hope Fighter Command has become the bases. The numerous

the heavy losses suf- to accomplish the first part of this necessary preliminary to all other Eastern Germany, including Ber-cerned by antees may have been a

fered on each raid, for German on Britain in, were on the schedule for at- | vither by force or by surprise, or

stages of the attack

to the Luftwaffe has tention in their turn. The strength tactics have never objected necessary part of a des- by a combination of the two. The That is what

of the Bomber Command been trying to accomplish in re-

was losses provided that the set ob- ject could be attained. But losses perate game. But, failing aval superiority of Britain is such

a surprise seems ent weeks. If it were to succeed steadily increasing and would in- to prevent the outbreak even more necessary in this than in that, everything else might well rease at a still greater pace when without success were a different

be expected to follow.

the Empire scheme, with Canada matter. Considerable trouble was as its centre, came into full opera- taken to prevent the Luftwaffe in of war, they became tre-n most other warlike operations.

Surprise, however, is not a pos- All through the late suminer

tion. mendous

But when bombs began to general from being depressed by liabilities for sibility so long as the British re- large formations of German bom fall on London, the turn of the those losses. Squadrons which had

connaissance aircraft can observe bers have been crossing the

heavily Berlin objectives was somewhat suffered Britain.

moved and report concentrations of South-East and South coasts evry

advanced on the roster, and Bri- away from the regular starting- barges and other shipping in the day. They have distributed their tish heavy bombers paid a visit to points and new units were brought One of these guarantees continental ports, as they are able artentions, frequently attacking

the German Capital on August up to take their places. Though went to Turkey. Likewise to do at present. On the strength

ports on the South coast, and the 25th and bombed a target of mili-the news of the losses must have trade agreement was make its dispositions and industrial cities of the Midlands, ary importance. Other raids on read despite these precautions, the Berlin area were made on there was no evidence that the Air Force can attack the concen-ly always there has been an as-

men was dashed. The sudderi and its friend in the East-trations, as it has been doing. sault on the aerodromes from

abandonment of useful tactical the Unless the Coastal Command and which

fighter squadrons On Saturday, September 7th, ern Mediterranean. That the Bomber Command of the operate and on factories which the Germans made a heavy attack objects in favour of a campaign of "frightfulness" against London, on London in the afternoon, It agreement was intended R.A.F. can be effectively put out build fighter aircraft. Their suc-

which, though it was destructive, of action, the invading force has cess has been slight. We learnt was

day. a very fine summer to bolster Turkey's politi-

a very poor chance of even mak-curselves at Stavanger how dif- which gave every advantage to did nothing to break the force of cal position by making the ing a start.

Acult it is to put an aerodrome the defence. Though some raiders Britain's war effort, bad the ap If, none the less, the start were out of action, and the strength of got through, the result of this day-pearance of spite rather than of Turks less dependent on

mede, if the sea were crossed

the Fighter Command has actual- light raid was one of the heaviest calm reason. That Germans wher German markets and to without crippling loss. and the ly increased, instead of being defeats which the Luftwaffe had at war have a lust for cruelty and

destruction is no news to any during the recent suffered since Dunkirk, The deprive the Nazis of Tur-iding-point reached, the pro- diminished,

blem before the Germans would weeks.

cnemy lost in all 103 machines, of body, and it is also known that Hitler when thwarted is apt to It was a be kish products.

At first the plan of escorting which 23 were brought down by break into rages which complete something like this. They double-edged

could not use their artillery until the raiders with fighters met with a A.A. guns. tactic in

it had been disembarked, and so measure of success. That is to say, That night saw the beginningly cloud his reason for the time Britain's economic war their bombers must play the part the daily tale of R.A.F. victories of a series of heavy nightly raids being. The set-back in the cam of artillery during the disem-recorded nore Messerschmidts on London. The weather at first paign against the Fighter Com against the Third Reich. barkation. They would probably than Heinkels, Dorniers and

was fine, the sky clear, and the mand, followed by the raids on Berlin, may well have driven him Junkers shot down. It is a natural moon waxing, According to theory into one of his trenzles. Such But the edges began to try to lay down a box barrage of bombs round the landing point so

established instinct among fighter pilots to as

during

theory would cover the facts, yet dull as Nazi victories in as to hold the British Army at a engage enemy fighters before they exercises held annually for many

one hesitates to put much trust Their bombers would do anything else. They are well years past by the R.A.F., all the in it. There are cool heads in thệ Poland, Norway, the Low-distance.

favourable for have to be protected by fighters, aware of the disadvantage under conditions were lands and France left and at the same time the Ger- which they would labour if the the defence, provided two condi- German High Command, and they on them tions were fulfilled. These were are not likely to be diverted for Britain alone in its own man fighters would have the task Messerschmidts dived

Corps should long from the practice of sound of keeping the British bombers from above while they were busy that the Observer

military doctrine. They may have island fortress.

away from the disembarking Ger- disposing of the bombers. By spot and promptly report every

been willing to indulge Hitler's man troops. That could only be sacrificing themselves in consider raid (which was dene), and that lust for senseless slaughter, and Messerschmidt the searchlights, directed by the destruction for a limited time, in- The Turks continued to done if the German fighters were able numbers the

very sure of their ability to mas-pilots afforded a degree of pro- sound-locators, should catch the bending to revert to more promis- trade heavily with Gerter the British fighters completely. fection to their charges, and gave raiders in their beams.

feel no such confdence, thêm a chance to plant their At night efficient work by the ing tactics after a period. Yet to what plan were they to revert? many. Recent figures in- They

Nothing which has happened so bombs. It was not long, however, searchlights is a sine qua non of The attack on the Fighter Com dicated that Turkish far in this war suggests that such before the R.A.F. pilots revised successful defence. If the beamsmand had been subdued. Britain trade with the Third a mastery is possible.

their tactics, and contrived to can catch and hold the raiders, it could not be subdued. The sudden Incidentally, German dimcut give the enemy bombers a due should be a straightforward mat- diversion of all effort to raids on Reich had been more ties would be increased if the share of attention. Confident inter of either the AA gunners or London can fairly be called an of their own the fighter aeroplanes to shoot mission of failure, at least for than five times as great as landing were attempted at a spot their superiority

outside the effective range of the aeroplanes and their own skill, them down. The searchlights and the time being, and an indication that with Britain. And

Messerschmidt 109 Aghter. This they never hesitated to tackle their crews arrided by the of uncertainty as to what the next Ankara has clung to neu- consideration narrows down the superior numbers. Even a single War Office, and for a long time step ought to be. There may be trality. Meanwhile the area within which an attempted squadron of Hurricanes or Spit- before the Munich crisis the War

landing is probable.

fires would divide itself, and one Office had neglected and starved some hope of dislocating the busi- journeys of Franz von

The German problem then re-flight or flights would occupy the this branch of our defences. When, ness of the country, but the Ger- Parliament got mans can hardly expect night- bombing to achieve that. Some of alarmed about the Papen, German Ambas-coves itself into this: the Coastal attention of the escort, while the after Mühich,

Command must be deprived of its rest played havoc with the Hein- thoroughly

the worst psychologists in the sador, between Berlin eyes and the Bomber Command feels and Junkers. The A.A. gun- country's danger, the cry was al-Reich may hope to break the Bri-

for and Ankara, have be- must have its fangs drawn. An-ners, too, quickly improved their ways for AA. guns, never

other consideration te keep in marksmanship with practice, and more and better searchlights. So tish will to win by "frightfulness" spoken Germany's unre- mind is that British bombers are no practice is so useful as firing in the destructive period which and the High Command may have aircraft. opened on the night of September been willing to give the theory a trial run; but it is far more pro- lenting diplomatic acti- not dependent on fighter escorts against actual cremy

to anything like the same extent Peace-time exercises consisted in 7th, the German

bable that the snia High Com- as are the German bombers, fornring at a towed drogue, or at over at a height which the beans mand felt that it had to do some- vity in Turkey.

their power-operated gun-turrets best a wireless-controlled Queen could not reach. The gunners saw thing but could not think of any- give them formidable fighting Bee aeroplane, and these were no target on which to open fire. thing sensible to dù. Behind the new Anglo- powers, and they have several not nearly so beneficial. Soon, the As for the fighters who were up, Turkish agreement would times proved their ability to beat toll taken of raiders by the A.A. it is elementary that a pilot in the

see another Mr. Churchill has mentioned tho off the attacks of German fight-guns began to mount, and before air at night cannot seem to lie an increasing ers. In any sort of strength they long, the country's two weapons aeroplane unless the search-year 1942, if not 1941, as that in

terrible menace to of defence were

it between them lights point in Britain's would be a

to him. which we shall assume the of confidence

landing troops. Therefore a fairly bringing down more of the enemy For four successive nights the fensive. The Prime Minister is a ability to survive as a complete obliteration of British bombers than of the fighters. The enemy flew unscathed over the deep student of strategy, and he world power. The trade bomber strength is from the Ger- very heavy losses of the Germans length and breadth of London and has information not available to

all of us. It is, however, common. man point of view an almost throughout August and the first dropped bombs, at his will, agreement is one answer necessary preliminary to an at- half of September will be fresh New defence tactics were adopt-knowledge that American produc that Turkey can make to tempt at invasion.

in every memory. Between Augusted on the fifth night. Very few tion experts consider that aircraft States will Such an, obliteration of the 11th and September 12th the searchlights were in action, but production in the German pressures. It is Bomber Command is only to be Germans lost 1558 raiders. Goer-innumerable guns put up a vigor- have reached enormous propor not likely that Turkey effected, if at all, by German air ing, having a large superiority in ous barrage of shells. Two rald- tions by 1942, and by that time attacks on our bomber aerodromes numbers, was not disturbed by ers were brought down, and it the Empire training scheme will --will abruptly cut its com- and on the factories which make the losses, but they were not pro-was obvious

German be giving the Empire forces very merce with Germany. that class. of aeroplane, German ducing an adequate quid pro quo. pilots were daunted by this shell large numbers of trained air doctrine is that such attacks inust The principle of the fighter, escorting, and were regularly turned crews. If we are to invade the But the Turks are able to be made by daylight if they are had been to the main, a fallure; off their course. The spirits of the Continent we must solve the pro- conduct that commerce to achieve satisfactory results. daylight raiding was not achieving people were greatly cheered by blem which is now puzzling the the audible evidence of an active Germans. We shall have to obtain on terms more favourable not extensively practised by the In the latter part of this period defence. On Friday morning a very real and substantial com- to themselves, less favour- Luftwaffe, and their pilots and a few German machines usually change in the weather produced mand of the air in order to make

ideal flew over London during the conditions

for daylight a landing feasible. That would same if we had able to the Nazis, than

night. They did not drop many bombing. Over London hung a apply just the they could were no other bombs, but Britain is ex-bombs, and the object of the bank of clouds with numerous subdued the forces of Italy be- ercising an influence far lights may have been primarily shifting gaps. Heavy German fore beginning the final settlement markets open to them.

from the cliffs of Dover, to train navigators in night-flying bombers came over and stayed with Germany; and it may well over the British Capital, with above the capital for over fourbe the air consideration which is This is what the new the secondary intention of dis- hours, aiming and dropping their inducing the Prime Minister for turbing the people's sleep and so bombs through the gape in the the present to stand on the de- agreement says.

lowering morale, They had one clouds. One pilot more venture fensive,

Not only does a British market exist, despite Nazi

Before the war night-flying was its object,

bombers flew

out

that the

Looking ahead, we note that