Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1941-05-30
Air Power
Lack Fatal
| In Crete
r. A. F. Too Weak
For Widespread
Operations Needed
BY DEWITT MACKENZIE.

BY DEWITT MACKENZIE.
The Battle Of Crete, in which the
Anglo-Greek allies are making what
looks like their last desperate stand
against death from the skies, fairy
bristles with question marks that are
being thrown in the direction of this
| column in handfuls.
What is the fundamental cause of
the Allied failure to hold the Ger
mans off from this island, which
was defended by perhaps 10000
troops and warships?
Answer: Lack of air power in the
Eastern Mediterranean. The Nazi
warplanes swarmed the sky like
locusts, and there is no effective
defense against such an attack eX-
cept bombing and fighting planes.
But surely the British have war
planes in the Near East?
Answer: Eyes, but not in sufficient
numbers for the widespread opera
tons with which they are faced.
Also, they lack long-distance bomb
ers and fighters, and have been
handicapped by not having air bases
near Crete, whereas the Germans
have been operating from nearby
Greece.
Reserve in England.
All right, but what about the story
that the British have a large store
OF new warplanes in reserve in Eng
land? Any truth in that?
Answer: My information is that
the British do have a reserve. How
ever, we have no knowledge of the
type OF planes, or whether it would
be feasible to use them for IcrC-
distance work. It's a safe bet Brit
ain would use any planes available.
What's the answer then-will the
Germans be able to continue their
victories in the Near East because
OF this air superiority?
Answer: Nazi air superiority will
continue to tell heavily against the
allies in the Eastern Mediterranean
until the British are provided with
many more warplanes, especially
the long-distance type. They are
depending largely on United States
production to meet this crisis. How
ever, the British presumably will
be able to provide a much better
air defense in fighting in Egypt close
to their air bases.
A One-Ring Circus.
Is there any relation between the
battle Of Crete and the fact that
the Nazls have done little bombing
Oh England for 10 days?
Answer: Definitely. Bad flying
weather has accounted for part of
the respite, but the Oil experts tell
US Hitler is so short of gasoline that
ne must conserve his supplies for
such a major operation as the at.
tack on Crete. He hasn't enough
gas to keep two big shows running
az the same time for any great
period. The outcome of the war
may hinge on this fact.
If that is so, and if the Allies will
gam strength as American produc.
tlon gets under full steam, isn't
time working against Hitler and for
Britain?
Answer: Yes, that's the kerne, of
the nut. We may easily know the
outcome OF the war by fall. If the
AAleS can keep afloat that long their
STOCK VIII be on the upgrade. Their
problem Is to keep af1oat now.
CouIo the British navy have done
more to save Crete?
answer: Actually, it has heen
mighty active at times. Among other
Things 1t wrecked the Nazi armada
OF little transports, and sent loon
troops to the bottom. However,
Give bombing has been so fierce that
II was suicide for the British war.
shlps to hang about the coast of the
island. VIC
parachute Technique Remarkable
now could parachute troops
winch seem so helpless in descent,
laho IN the face of 10000 allied de-.
tenders? '00 Ne
answer: That's one of the strik.
ing developments of the uor
Inc way for the parscbuters
was opened up by a multitude If
1--WE pomoerS and fighter planes
immediately after the Allied defend.
CTS mad. been flercely bombed and
liachlne gunned. the parachute
troops descended and took COVER il,
the bomb craters which provide verv
good protection. The parachuters i,,
their descent even employed hand
grenades and light machine guns
against the enemy on the ground.
another remarkable feat.
Hasn't the strain on the Allied
troops been terriflcP
Answer: The battle of Crete is ons
OF the fiercest in history. There
can ce small doubt that the terrible
oomoing must have driven MANY sol.
olers insane. The whole mad storr
Is amazing, both from the stand
point OF offense and defense