TACTICAL AIR FORCE

Press, Volume LXXIX, Issue 23974, 15 June 1943, Page 5

TACTICAL AIR FORCE

COMMAND FORMED IN BRITAIN result of invasion EXERCISES (N.Z. Press Association— Copyright) (Rec. 8 p.m.) LONDON, June 13. The formation in Britain of a Tactical Air Force is announced by the Air Ministry in a communique. ‘‘As a result of the experience gained in the fighting in North Africa, certain measures of reorganisation have been effected in the Metropolitan Air Force.” states the communique.- “The Army Co-operation Command, which was formed in December, 1940, to organise, experiment, and train in all forms of land and air co-operation, has been merged into a tactical air force designed to work with the Army in the field. The organisation of this force conforms closely with that of the Tactical Air Force under Air Marshal Sir Arthur Coningham in North-West Africa. “The Tactical A ir Force has been located in the Fighter Command in order to ensure close integration of the work of the tactical reconnaissance aircraft and light bombers with that of the main fighter force. The Tactical Air Force is commanded by Air Vice-Mar-shal J. H. d’Albiac.” The following higher appointments have also been announced:—Air Marshal Sir Arthur Barratt, formerly Air Officer Commanding, Army Co-opera-tion Command, to be Air Officer Com-manding-in-Chief, Technical Training Command; Air Marshal Sir John Babington, formerly Air Officer Command-ing-in-Chief. Technical Training Command, to be head of the Royal Air Force mission to Moscow. The formation of the Tactical Air Force on the lines indicated follows the .direction of the Prime Minister some months ago. Preparations were then completed in time for a large-scale inter-services exercise held in March, and it was the valuable experience gained in the handling of selected air formations in field conditions, side by side with the corresponding Army formation, that enabled the main scheme to be organised so quickly. Mobile Basis One of the most important features of the new formation is its organisation on a mobile basis throughout. It is, therefore, capable of operating independently of "tarmac” conditions and the telecommunications system existing in Britain. Second, provision has been made for a high degree of flexibility in the control and operation of the squadrons which compose the force. In this way it is possible to vary the number of squadrons on each airfield and further enable the force commander to operate any reasonable number of squadrons placed at his disposal from time to time without overburdening the system. London newspapers refer to the Tactical Air Force as an "invasion air force.” “The Times” says that the formation of the Tactical Air Force is of profound importance in the organisation of the British war machine. It would be a really modern instrument of war, with its own facilities of communications and maintenance. It would grently increase the striking power of the Army in the field, “The Times” continues. Not only would the new air force be valuable in gathering information on enemy dispositions but it would also provide a contact with the forward troops of the Army, "It is an organisation adequate to the pace of modern warfare.” adds “The Times.” The "Daily Express” says; “With the formation of the Tactical Air Force the last broad strategical step before the big offensive is taken.” PLANS TO INVADE EUROPE SIGNS OF COMING OPERATIONS (8.0. W.) RUGBY. June 13. A month has passed’ since Tunisia was cleared, and tense anticipation of the long-expected Allied descent on the Continent is mounting towards its climax as the combined staffs complete final preparations in dense secrecy. Many indications of approaching operations can be noted, such as the prolonged softening by bombers of certain areas, the movement of troops and shipping, and preparations in ports. It was pointed out, however, by Lord Hankey in the “Sunday Times,” that the softening process has spread widely and that no one can be sure that the bombing of some districts may not be an experiment in using air forces as the main weapon. A surprise landing might even come at an'unbombed section of coast. The movements of ships and troops are not conclusive. They have sometimes been used as a ruse de guerre, since amphibious warfare lends itself to strategy because of the mobility of ships. Lord Hankey, who was Secretary to the Committee of Imperial Defence in the last war, gives a reminder that the Allies have to overcome formidable obstacles to the first landing, particularly in the provision of air cover. The degree of difficulty would depend on the place of landing and the success of the preliminary softening by air. Almost harder tasks are the rapid provision and repair of aerodromes, the disembarkation of material of all kinds, the creation of great depots for munitions and supplies, and repair facilities, the restoration of communications and port facilities, and so forth. In a word, the rapid establishment of a spacious bridgehead from which to start an arduous campaign. Invaluable lessons have been learned in North Africa about the co-operation of the three services of several nations. “A superb international force, well equipped and with confidence in its leaders, elated by victory and in the highest state of morale, has been built up on the southern shores of the Mediterranean. It should provide a splendid nucleus for the larger forces required for more formidable tasks,” said Lord Hankey. A “preventive” landing of a shock force in Britain and a minelaying campaign by 2000 aeroplanes figure largely in German anti-invasion plans, says the Berlin correspondent of the Stockholm paper “Svenska Dagbladets.” The Germans propose to lay a colossal number of mines off the south coast of England in gigantic night operations by a fleet of motor-boats and other craft. An enormous concentration of aeroplanes will be used for minelaying and bombing. UNITY OF FREE NATIONS GENERAL EISENHOWER’S MESSAGE (BD.W.) RUGBY, June 13. General Eisenhower, the Allied Commander-in-Chief in North Africa, has issued the following message on the occasion of United Nations Day, which will be celebrated on Monday: "Autocracy has cause to tremble when free nations join their minds, resources, hands, and hearts to maintain common ideals. This age-old truth has again been demonstrated in the North African campaign. The land, sea, and air forces of the United Nations pooled their resources in North Africa, planned together, worked together, and fought together towards a single goal to rout the forces of enslavement. “In the face of Allied battle unity the Axis forces in Tunisia went down to a humiliating defeat., with a devastating effect upon the dictators, whose purpose is to eliminate from the earth respect for those principles of liberty and human rights that are inspiring the United, Nations to a supreme effort. “The enemy’s first battle objective was to tear us apart, The Tunisian victory, therefore, stands as a monument to the perfection of our unification and a double defeat for Hitlerism. Through unity the forces of freedom will bring forth from this war a tjiumphant peace.”