The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-06-07
Build Many Planes

not defense lines on the western
front.
Build Many Planes
Lord Beaverbrook, minister OF air
craft supply, said today that British
aircraft production since May 10 has
exceeded all casualties suffered In
heavy Raj operations.
Eeaverbrook addressed group OF
American correspondents at a lunch
con.
He estimated that production OF
new planes In the week ended June |
was so per cent above that In the
week ended May II.
This increased production has
been maintained since June H.
Beaverbrook asserted.
Beavcrbrook said that his personal
estimate OF German air strength
basod on official information avail
able to him, was li875 plans OF
which two-hfths might be consid-
cred front line planes, In addition
he said the Germans had sos junk
ers troop carrying planes probably
capable OF transporting $4,000 men. II
lie said his information indicated
that Germany had 10000 pilots OF
which $4,000 had recent flying ex-
perience.
Tie promised shortly TO provide an
estimate OF German plane produc.
ton but declined 10 say whether
production OF aircraft for the Allie!
.-including American planes - now
exceeds German production.
Beaverbrook revealed that Great
Britain has made successful flight
tests OF a new heavy bomber which
he described as the biggest bomber
ever placed III the air.
Up % Percent
Describing the results achieved
during his three and one-half weeks
In ONCE, he said that airplane en-
CINE production had gone up 80 per
cent for the week ended June COM
pared with the week ended May II
Repair OF aircraft increased 1856 per
cent and repair OF airplane engines
i69 per cent, he said
Beaverbrook said that while the
British had suffered net losses OF
some types OF planes due TO the
heavy engagements since the OPEN
ing OF the German drive into the
low countries, there had been gains
In other types which more than
made up for the losses.
pAa aphTnnk ipslinatnA tipNa ~ nt,
over the arrival OF American planes
I'VE received last week a consider.
able installmcnt Of American planes
he said. I'VE will and do take all the
American planes we can get, II
there's any available American pro-
duction ] don't know about I'd like
TO get II, We are now obtaining Hur-
ricanes from Canada"
Allies In Good Place
Authorized British military sources
which had been pessimistic for days
over the situation or the western
front, said today that the Allied po-
sition on the Weygand line was
"pretty good"
VtsN VI hIlitlhoi IONaIN JilC SIlbIl
mel, the Allies had withdrawn their
line 10 the Bresle river, informants
pointed out, but they said that other
wise the position hardly had
changed.
In this battle informants said
there we're no refugees such as those
who so seriously hindered the Allies
In previous fighting.
Furthermore, this time the Ger
man tanks will not find gasoline sta
tons or refueling points," an in
formant said.
British and French authorities
generally we're satisfied with the Sit
uation, informants said. But they
cautioned against undue optimism
I'VE are not yet certain that the
main attack has started" they said
AirdrOme Bombed
The air ministry said today that
q Royal Air Force airdrome had
been bombed by German planes last
night and one aviator was killed.
1.-THE bombs dropped on a Royal
Air Force airdrome fell In the flare
path" the ministry said. The flare
path apparently was the landing
path lighted by flares at night.
The ministry said that British
bombers attacked German armored
columns. main highways, railroad
bridges, railroad lines and other mil
itary detectives In the Abbeville re-
gion yesterday.
Two Raj bombers were attacked
by three Messerschmitt 1895 from
the rear" the ministry reported
Fighting back With their rear guns
the bombers spiralled almost TO
ground level an din q running fight
lasting 20 minutes one Messerschmitt
was caught by burst Of fire at close
range and when last seen appeared
hadly damaged"