11 AUGUST 1939, Page 6

Since there are 8o,000,000 Germans I do not run much

risk of compromising anyone when I say (on authority which I cannot but accept) that one of the 8o,000,000—not an emigri and not an anti-Nazi—was the author of the suggestion which resulted in the R.A.F. flights over France. His motive was unconcealed: Hitler wouldn't believe that any nation had an air-force except Germany ; it was essential to un- deceive him. That bald statement will obviously not impress readers as what I was told impressed me, but it is all I can say, for I cannot give Herr Himmler clues to work on.