Superiority in the Air
Mr. Churchill gave the cheering news in his Mansion House speech that the Royal Air Force is now " at least equal " in size and numbers to the German air power. In quality, plane for plane and pilot for pilot, it is undoubtedly superior. Some time has elapsed since our production, along with that which we were receiving from America, equalled that of Germany, but there was a heavy lee-way in past production to be made up to give us parity. Since then American output has gone up steadily, but some of the planes that were destined for Britain have been rightly diverted to Russia. This, however, is likely to have been more than made up by the terrific losses which the Germans have suffered on the eastern front. Now that the R.A.F. has reached equality, at the least, with the Luftwaffe, we may be sure that, with our own production in full swing, and the rising production of the United States, our superiority in numbers will soon become marked. It is true, we have to spread our power over a vast area. Singapore has been reinforced. Africa and the Middle Eastern regions make heavy demands. But it is satisfactory to hear from General Sir Thomas Blarney, Deputy- Commander-in-Chief in the Middle East, that there has been a " tremendous increase " in the Air Force personnel in that region, and that air support for the troops is now satisfactory. Mr. Wendell Willkie declares that at no remote future Allied' air- craft production will exceed German by something like three to one. That time is not yet, but it is certain to come. M. Stalin has gratefully recognised the help that is being given by our already crushing blows on German production and communications. These will be harder, and will reach farther before the winter-is over.
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