AIR FORCE CONTROL

Auckland Star, Volume LXXIII, Issue 172, 23 July 1942, Page 5

AIR FORCE CONTROL

Supremacy Of Command Varies On Different Fronts QUESTION IN COMMONS British Official Wireless. Rec. 1.30 p.m. RUGBY, July 22. Mr. Churchill was asked in the House of Commons whether a ruling would be given that R.A.F. machines taking part in naval operations should come under the supreme control of the senior naval officer conducting the operation, as in the case of land operations they come under the control of an army commander. Mr. Churchill replied: "In the Middle East, during active military operations, the general working in closest association with the air commander is the directing power. Aircraft, co-operating with the fleet, conform strictly to naval requirements and movements. In the interval between land and sea operations, ample opportunities for discussion and argument between the three commanders-in-chief are provided by their meeting under the presidency of the Minister of State. "Quite a different arrangement prevails at home, where, for the purposes of the north-western approaches and the narrow seas, the Admiralty is the predominant authority. In this case co'astal command is under operational control of the Admiralty and questions relative to the strength of Coastal and Bomber Commands are decided by the Minister of Defence or by a defence committee.

"In other theatres of war, arrangements are made to meet particular conditions existing there having regard principally to the predominant character of operations."