STRONG SHIELD

Wairarapa Times-Age, 10 July 1939, Page 5

STRONG SHIELD

BRITISH DEFENCES AGAINST AIR ATTACK GREAT DEBT TO INDUSTRY. POSITION OF CIVIL AVIATION. (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY. July 8. As part of the celebration of the opening of Birmingham’s new airport at Elmdon by the Duchess of Kent today the Birmingham Corporation gave an aviation dinner last night at which the Director-General of Civil Aviation, Lieutenant-Colonel Sir Francis Shelmerdine, said that civil aviation was faced with many difficulties, mainly due to the increased speed of rearmament. Civil aviation was short of aircraft funds, but they could be proud of the part they played in the rearmament programme, he said. They had more than 40 licensed aerodromes, and many others. Every one was being used, or would shortly be used, for purposes of the R.A.F. volunteer reserve. The facilities civil aviation had been able to provide had made possible vast increases in the number of pilots. Air Vice-Marshal T. L. Leigh-Mal-lory said today that they realised the enormous debt they owed to industrial centres like Birmingham and the effort which had been made in recent months to provide essential equipment. Notable strides had been made and the gaps in Britain’s defence of last autumn had for the main part been filled in.

He thought Britain's defence scheme would gravely shake the morale of any attacking air force, so much so that after the first attempt the full volume of the attack would in a very short time die down to a small trickle. During the past 13 months the three services had been forging a shield of defence which was immensely strong, and its very strength would mean that it would never have to be put into operation. ROYAL AIR FORCE IN MANY RESPECTS FINEST IN WORLD. PREMIER'S DECLARATION. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright. LONDON, July 8. • Mr Chamberlain, speaking at Elmdon. said. "Our air force is in many respects the finest in the world, but I warn you that the Air Ministry does not tell all his secrets. You may be sure much more is behind whatever he tells.”