When the total of air-raid deaths in September was returned
at close on 7,000-6,954, to be precise—there seemed every likelihood that the October figures would show an increase, for not only is there one more day in October than in September, but what is known as the Blitzkrieg did not start till Septem- ber 7th. It is satisfactory to find that there is in fact a reduc- aon—to 6,334. We are now halfway through November, and if London is to be taken as criterion, a further reduction this month may be looked for, for raids on the capital have on the whole been less intensive in the past fortnight than in Sep- tember. But the experience of the country as a whole may not tally with London's. Distressing as is the nightly death and destruction frcm the skies, it is some satisfaction to hear from the Prime Minister that there is every ground for believing the enemy is exerting his maximum effort. For that and other reasons a gradual improvement in the situation may be looked for. The aeroplane indeed may be a less serious menace than the submarine. This week's figure of shipping lost, 72,595, compares with 63,265, 198,030 and 16,86o respectively in the three previous weeks—evidence of the irregularity of the U-boats' successes. Next week's figures, swollen as they will be by the inclusion of the Laurentic ' and 'Patroclus,' cannot be low. The Navy has a formidable task before it in these winter months.
Previous page
