Evening star., 1943-05-06
German Air Force
Now on Defensive,
Major Eliot Says kozis
Will Build Fewer Bombers
And More Fighters Hereafter
By Maj. George Fielding Eliot.

By Maj. George Fielding Eliot.
Fresh testimony to the growing United
Nations air superiority in the whole
European-African theater of war is af-
forded by Peter Masefeld. the able air
expert of the British Broadcasting Corp,
in his broadcast of May g.
Mr. Masef1eld estimates that the total
frst-line combat strength of the Luft-
waite does not now exceed 1000 planes.
This is very close to estimates which have
recently been made by other informed
observers, and it is something to think
about when compared with the figures
representing monthly American and
British production, to say nothing of
what the Russians are doing.
OF course we must be careful to under
stand just what is meant by f1rst-line
strength. 1t means the actual number
Of planes of combat type ,bombers, fight
ers, ground strafers, dive bombers, and
Army cooperation planes which a given
air force actually can put in the air,
manned, armed and equipped, at any
given time-though, of course, not by any
means necessarily in any one given the
ater Of operations.
1t does not mean the total number of
planes in the possession of that air force;
there are all sorts of reserves, beginning
with squadron spares and going right on
up to the big general reserve of planes:
and there Is another reserve formed of
planes under repair. A great many
planes of combat types, as well as train
ing types, are required for training; and
there are usually considerable number
Of obsolescent planes which still have
some degree Of usefulness and could be
called on in an emergency.
But it is interesting to compare the
estimate land a very sound estimate, of
1000 combat-type planes as the Luft-
waffe's first line strength with the abso-
lutely astronomical figures which were
being used year or two ago in prophesy-
ing what the German air power would
amount to by this time
The fact appears to be. as Mr.. Mase-
field points out, that the Luftwafre never
has been able to recover from it's heavy
losses in the Battle of Britain, and those
sustained during two years of combat in
Russia. The Germans had built up an
enormous air power. but they frittered it
away in these vain struggles. using it up
recklesslv in the hope of achieving VIC
tory by maximum application of power.
They never were able TO overcome the
fighter command of the Roval Air Force,
and they never were able to secure
dominion OF the skies over Russia
though. in the latter case. they did at
times achieve local and temporary air
superiority.
Now the Germans are turning to the
defensive. They are no longer building
bombers to destroy their enemies. while
the latter build fighters to protect them
selves The boot is precisely on the
other foot. The Germans are turning
more and more to the construction of
fighters. while the United Nations are
building more and bigger bombers to
carry the war into the heart of Germany.
But the process of attrition is steadily
at work. and its effects are cumulative.
The weaker the Luftwaffe grows the less
1t Is able to contribute to its own security
In the air. the security of its ground
establishments and of the plants where
its planes are made. From mid March to
mid-April Mr.. MaSefeld observes. the
Luftwaffe had almost 500 aircraft shot
down in the Tunisian theater. quite aside
from considerable numbers DESTROYED on
the ground. while the Allied losses were
only about $50. This. alone, is a heavy
blow to weakening force.
We should not of course. assume that
the Germans are through as far as air
warfare is concerned. AS they 90 on the
defensive. they will turn out more fight
ers and fewer bombers Fighters cost
less take less material can be built
quicker. We can look for an increase
In German fighter power, as the Ger
mans try desperately to repeat the
achievement Of the Raj in 1910. But it
will be an increase purchased at the cost
of offensive (bomber) strength. and there
Is little indication that the Germans will
be able to attain the qualitative superior
ity. either in pilots or machines. which
served the British so we'll during the
memorable days Of the Battle Of Britain.
tcopyrisht 1913, New York Tribune. IneJ