28 FEBRUARY 1941, Page 3

War in the Air

Sir Archibald Sinclair gave an inspiriting account of the aims, achievements and growing strength of the air forces in an address to the English Speaking Union last Tuesday. He showed that we had no reason to doubt the great successes that had been won in attack as in defence in spite of the enemy's superiority in numbers, and in spite of the great distances that have to be flown in reaching German targets—successes that are due to good leadership, reliable equipment, and skilful, devoted airmen. Though our defensive policy is based on attack, that does not imply any neglect of the purely defensive problems, chief among which at the moment is that of defeating the night-bomber. Sir Archibald did not suggest that we could hope to secure immunity from night-bombing—on the contrary it is likely to become intensified—but he did assure us that we have reached the stage when our pilots will take a heavy toll of the raiders. But though we must still expect to suffer from night-bombing we are assured that the enemy will suffer equally and soon more. He quoted evidence to show the effect a recent raid had produced upon the citizens of Mannheim. Sir Archibald regretted the necessity of attacking targets in enemy-occupied countries, but self-defence required that we should bomb the invasion ports, aerodromes, submarine bases, and make those sweeps over Belgian and French territory which thrust back the aerial frontier.