THE Hauraki Plains Gazette With which is Incorporated THE OHINEMURI GAZETTE. MONDAY, WEDNESDAY, FRIDAY. “Public Service.” FRIDAY, APRIL 2, 1943 R.A.F. ANNIVERSARY

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume 52, Issue 3247, 2 April 1943, Page 4

THE Hauraki Plains Gazette With which is Incorporated THE OHINEMURI GAZETTE. MONDAY, WEDNESDAY, FRIDAY. “Public Service.” FRIDAY, APRIL 2, 1943 R.A.F. ANNIVERSARY

Thursday was the 25th anniversary of the foundation of the Royal Air Force. April 1, 1918, was not the beginning of the development of the Air Force, for the Royal Flying Corps had fought through the four years of war and had amassed about 20,000 aeroplanes, but that date did see the ■establishment of a new organisation that has since grown to enormous proportions. Soon after the Great War the Air Force drifted from thousands to hundreds of aeroplanes in accordance with the policy of disarmament which, unfortunately, was a one-sided affair. It was not until the present decade that the new danger arising in Europe caused the Royal Air Force to begin building again. . But in the meantime technical knowledge had advanced tremendously and when _ the modern force was built Britain was in the van with many of the finest machines in the world. The Schneider Cup contest and similar competitions were of untold value in the defence of Britain. It is perhaps not too much to say that the quality of British aircraft and of their crews saved Britain from defeat in 1940. When France collapsed and Germany turned 'across the Channel to the enemy she really feared, Britain had few weapons with which to fight; She did have a highly efficient air force, small in numbers but manned by magnificent fighting men. For two or three months Germany hurled the might of the Luftwaffe against the British Isles and the Royal Air Force won a victory against great odds that will resound through history. Those were the days of desperate defence when Britain, alone against the Axis Powers, was building behind her aerial and naval screen* The change that has taken since then is one of the modern miracles. Now the Royal Air Force, is no longer on the defensive. It has taken the offensive with terrifying strength. Every day the enemy is feeling the growing weight of the attack. The Royal Air Force celebrates its 25th anniversary as master of the skies of western Europe.