OVER BERLIN BRITISH FIGHTERS

Grey River Argus, 10 April 1948, Page 5

OVER BERLIN BRITISH FIGHTERS

READY FOR AIR ESCORT DUTY (Received April 9, at 9.5 p.m). LONDON, April 9. The “Daily Telegraph’s” Berlin correspondent says: “There was constant activity over the Berlin area on Thursday by British Tempest Fighters, which were operating from the R.A.F., airfield at Gatow. ‘British officials denied that any special significance was to be attached to these manoeuvres, but there is little doubt that these machines are being held in reserve to carry out escort duties in the air corridor, between the Western Zones and Berlin, if—a nd wb en—required.

Collision Still Bone of Contention LONDON, April 8. British diplomatic quarters expected a more conciliatory reply to the British suggestion of a quadripartite inquiry into the Viking-Yak collision. It is now expected that there will be a vigorous reaction to Marshal Sokolovsky’s reply. General Robertson arrived in Berlin by air from Dusseldorf, and immediately went to his headquarters, where the work of preparing the British reply to the Soviet Note is already under way. The members of the British team investigating the Viking-Yak collision said the position of the wreckage and witnesses’ evidence both conclusively indicated that the Yak was making a climbing turn when the collision occurred. The Russian plane did not have its wheels down preparatory to landing, as the Russians claimed. The team has completed its investigations, and has sent its report to the Foreign Secretary, Mr Bevin.