The Ypsilanti daily press. (Ypsilanti, Mich.) 1928-1962, 1940-09-07
Is HlTLeR rRoueLEo7

Al L
is HITLER TRoUsLEo7
Hitler's sPeech in Berlin has
special military interest because OF
its appeal 10 Great Britain for mu-
tual cessation o, night air bomb
ing. Hitler described the night at
tacks as useless" and It seems
proba Die that this part of his speech
was due to pressure Of the German
people, disquieted by hostilities in
the dark
The Fuehrers protest marks his
first defensive utterance since the
beginning OF the war Hitherto he
has always spoken entirely about
forthcoming otensives. Now he
indicates that Germany wants TO
moderate the war by eliminating
night raiding.
It is strange that Hitler thus
tries TO lay down rules limiting air
warfare after his frequent refer
encss 70 the great prepondeFanee-ef
German aviation strength and his
promise 10 the German people that
they would have air mastery over
Britain. II would seem that avia-
ton plans OF the German high
command are not working out &C.
cording TO schedule.
Hitler's statement that he waited
three months before retaliating
against British night bonn ings
was intended as q moral argument.
But. as a matter OF fact, German
avators had no training in night
navigation and operations. 1t was
necessary TO improvise instruction
for them which quite possibly &C.
counts for the three months delay
in hitting back.
German air specialists have
scotfed at night raids. They were
held 10. be useless so long as Ger
many's large numerical plane su-
periority would allow daylight at
taeks OF sufficient intensity to guar
antee air domination. but this mis-
judgment is about the most serious
the German high command has
made during the war. Hitler now
tries to rectify it by urging suspen-
sion OF night attacks.
The British realized at the out
setsof the war that major daylight
air attacks against Germany would
be impossible until they more near
ly approached German strength.
So they have given their pilots
specialized training in the tech
nique OF night attack against which
defense is far less effective than in
the day time
The British. too. practiced de-
fensive methods for night use
which were neglected by the Ger
mans because Of their contempt
for night air maneuvers. These
factors have allowed the British 70
gain superiority over the Germans
in accuracy OF night air attack and
in repelling night bombers. The
one advantage the Germans possess
Is the short distance from air bases
In France and Belgium TO British
cities. The British. however, have
far wider areas open TO attack,
which makes German defense con-
centrauons more dIftiCuft
II the British were 70 forego
night air operations they would
have scant means OF offsetting the
German daylight otfensives. II
seems improbable. therefore. that
Hitler's attempt 10 modify the air
campaign in his own interest will
be successful until such time as
he is able 70 make a better show
ing OF strength.
Hitlers threat 10 exterminate
British cities unless night raids
cease represents a decline in the
magnitude Of his promises 10 the
German people First, he assured
Germany that he would destroy the
British Empire Then the destrus
ton was 10 be limited 70 Great
Britain. and now it is to be con-
fined 70 municipalities.
This Limitation Of purpose is &C.
oompanied by d Tong extension Of
time for accomplishment Early
this summer Berlin was snnounc.
ing the end OF the war would come
with the capture OF London By mid.
August. Nov the Fuehrer SAYS
he has prepared for a war of Ave
years. How German morale will
respond 10 the dislllusionment may
begin 70 End expression before the
end OF the coming winter. To fore.
stan such hazarl Herr Hitler will
have to do some fast thinking and
anran nAannaL... - IL