LAND OPERATIONS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 9 December 1940, Page 9

LAND OPERATIONS

BRITISH PREPARATIONS FOR OFFENSIVE SPECIALISED AIRCRAFT AND TANKS. REORGANISATION OF ARMOURED UNITS. (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY. December 7. Development in the technique of cooperation between air and ground forces was foreshadowed in the recent-ly-formed army co-operational command of the R.A.F. When the time comes for new land operations against the German army it will be found that in this sphere, as in 1918, Britain “has something.” Types of bomber aircraft to be found over future battlefields will undoubtedly be an advance on the notorious German Junkers 87 dive bombers which achieved considerable success against Poland and France by exploiting special conditions. Against Britain’s defences the Junkers 87 failed —over half the raiding forces being destroyed.

Several British single-engine aircraft have been designed for dive-bombing, including the Blackburn Skua and the Hawker Henley. An indication of the general trend was afforded by certain American attack bombers which were supplied to the French air force. One, the Marain 167 M, carried about half a ton of bombs, has a maximum speed of nearly 320 miles an hour and a maximum range at cruising speed of over 2000 miles.

The Douglas DB7 is another medium bomber type with great possibilities for army work, being designed for both precision and dive-bombing, and having an estimated top speed of about 330 miles an hour.

For the revolutionised army, which has emerged in Britain since the withdrawal from France, Brtish factories have produced tanks and guns surpassing anything previously used in battle by British units. Much of the newest “rapid mobility” equipment comes from Canada and other Empire countries.

Many German principles have been improved on, particularly in the reorganisation of armoured units. Modern armoured fighting vehicles have been rebuilt and re-equipped in a remarkably short time. There are light tanks, cruiser tanks, vehicles of heavy tonnage, motor-cycle and reconnaissance squadrons, and a variety of armoured cars.

It is claimed that many of the tanks are better than any the Germans have yet devised, and that the new mobile guns provide fire-power never before achieved.

Tank men are among the keenest of the whole military organisation. Many are short, powerful soldiers, who speak a technical jargon almost incompresensible to other branches of the service.