Oral Answers to Questions — Stukas, Western Desert.

– in the House of Commons at on 9 July 1942.

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Photo of Sir Stanley Reed Sir Stanley Reed , Aylesbury

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether he has official information of the number of German dive-bombers destroyed during the recent operations in Egypt?

Photo of Mr Harold Balfour Mr Harold Balfour , Isle of Thanet

An analysis of communiqués issued from Middle East Headquarters shows that since 23rd May the number of Stukas destroyed in combat in the operations in the Western Desert is 59.

Photo of Sir Stanley Reed Sir Stanley Reed , Aylesbury

Will my right hon. and gallant Friend take steps to give wide publicity to that statement, for the guidance of those intelligent or unintelligent amateurs who have been trying to direct our Imperial strategy?

Photo of Mr Harold Balfour Mr Harold Balfour , Isle of Thanet

I hope that the hon. Member's Question will have the wide publicity which it deserves.

Photo of Mr Herbert Williams Mr Herbert Williams , Croydon South

Can the right hon. and gallant Gentleman say how many of these dive-bombers were destroyed on the occasion when the British Forces were defeated?

Photo of Mr Harold Balfour Mr Harold Balfour , Isle of Thanet

Sir, the British Forces are never defeated. They sometimes get setbacks.

Photo of Mr Herbert Williams Mr Herbert Williams , Croydon South

Well, on the occasion of setbacks can the right hon. and gallant Gentleman say how many were destroyed?