A WAR BLUNDER

Taranaki Central Press, Volume IV, Issue 421, 30 April 1937, Page 2

A WAR BLUNDER

LOST OPPORTUNITY Air Arm Control London, April 27. One of the blunders of the war. caused by differences between the Admiralty and the then newly created Air Ministry, was revealed by Admiral Sir Roger Keyes in the House of Commons this week. Admiral Sir Roger Keyes, who had command of the Dover Patrol in the war, made the charge that the dual control introduced on April 1, 1918, led to the failure of the Navy to destroy the German fleet after it had been bottled up.

He quoted a letter which he wrote to the Admiralty in May, 1918, in which he described the “confusion and inefficiency” resulting from dudl control. Aerial photographs at that showed 23 large destroyers and and 12 submarines lyingMn the basin at Bruges and the canals near. A wonderful target for mass bombing attack was missed. Handley-Page night bombers would have been invaluable for this purpose, commented Sir Roger, but these craft, for the production of which the Admiralty was entirely responsible, were coveted by the R.A.F. General Officer. They were taken away from bombing German, destroyers and submarines lying in the blocked canals in order to bomb civilians in Cologne. With the few’ bombers left very little damage could be inflicted before the German craft scattered. Sir Roger was speaking during the report stage of the Air Estimates, and his remarks were, to quote the Manchester Guardian, followed by "an awe inspiring spectacle, the sight of these great battleships in action against each other,” for Admiral Sir Murray Sueter and Vice-Admiral E. A. Taylor we re also brought into the debate. AH Fools Day Feat. Sir Roger Keyes said he had fought many battles in a somewhat stormy career, but never had he fought for anything more vital to naval efficiency and the security of British sea communications than the development of naval aviation, which could never be achieved under the existing system. The time was overdue for the Navy to have its own air service. “It is almost incredible,” he said, "that the British Navy has been denied flying-boats, and it is almost incredible that the Admiralty have tolerated such a condition in this respect so long. Flying-boats have immense possibilities, as French and American and other seamen have proved. Sir Roger commented that the dual control of the Fleet Air Arm was brought in on All Fools Day, 1918, and was a considerable help to the enemy. Rear-Admiral Sir Murray Sueter said that Mr Churchill had stated in an earlier debate that he (Admiral Sueter) had said it was easy to drop bombs down the funnels of warships. He had never said such a thing in the House, and it did not come very well from Mr Churchill to make such a statement, especially as he was First Lord of the Admiralty at the time when he (Admiral Sueter) was Director of the Air Department there. Referring to the fact that Sir Roger Keyes had refused to give way to him during his speech, he said: "I am used to being badly treated by the gallant Admiral of the Fleet, but he has not got stripes over me in the House.” (Laughter. Should Work Together. , Sir Murray Sueter said that Sir

Roger Keyes had praised a certain make of machine. He added: “During the war I was called the biggest damn fool for ordering that machine.” He hoped the House would not allow the Air Force to be broken up. On a recent visit to Malta he found that the naval officers and flying men were working uncommonly well together. "Those who try in this House to create friction between the services are doing a disservice to the State,’ he added. The services should not be expected to work in silly little water-tight compartments, and the Minister of Defence should tell the services that the House did not vote them money so that they could figlu each other —(laughter)—and he should tell the Chiefs of Staff that they must see that their people worked together. “Suddenly,” commented the Manchester Guardian, “Vice-Admiral Taylor launched a surprise attack upon Admiral Seuter’s port bow and was driven off briskly, and Admiral Keyes then came in for some more cannonading. Just as Admiral Seuter was steaming triumphantly into harbour he spoilt a good deal of his effect by deploring the ‘water-tight compartments in which so many naval officers insist on working.’ .Still, it was a notable engagement, and would have gladdened the heart of that Victorian novelist, W. H. G. Kingston, who wrote ‘The Three Admirals.’ ”