PLANES & SUPPLIES

Wairarapa Times-Age, 28 May 1942, Page 4

PLANES & SUPPLIES

FLOWING IN GREAT VOLUME TO RUSSIA THROUGH MIDDLE EAST ROUTE. FACTS OBSERVED BY DUKE OF GLOUCESTER. V 1 (British Official Wireless.) ''' (Received This Day, 11.25 a.m.) RUGBY, May 27. w.A’L' Touring the Middle East, the Duke of Gloucester had an opportunity of seeing a great deal of the British and American aid that is flowing to Russia. At an aerodrome where his plane landed, a number of American-built bombers were dispersed. They represented only ?. small part of the bomber fleet that is being flown to Russia day after day. Later the Duke was shown some assembly plants for these aircraft. Many of them in the first instance had been assembled by R.A.F. technicians. Now increasing numbers of American engineers are arriving and taking over the task. Once they are assembled, the aircraft are handed over to Russian pilots, who fly them over the wildest mountain country, in all weathers, direct to Russia and the Eastern front. The rate at which aid is arriving cannot be divulged, but the Duke was given some idea of it when he arrived at another aerodrome. Just before his own aircraft arrived, aircraft with Russian crews aboard had put down, refuelled and flown off straight, to Russia. That was just a part of the daily contingent. Not only are aircraft flowing through the Middle East at this rate towards Russia, but weapons of all kinds for the Soviet ground forces are also following much the same route —from tanks to motor transport. The Duke, in fact, saw a section of one of the greatest supply routes in the world, built up quietly by the three Allies at aerodromes and assembly points all along this route. Communities of all three nationalities have been set up. They are very largely self-contained. Many of the Russian pilots have brought their wives with them and have formed small colonies, side by side with 'the British and Americans. The Duke heard great praise of the courage and technical skill of the Russian pilots. The route over which they fly to Russia is not an easy one. It traverses forbidding mountainous ranges, where low cloud or dust storms make flying perilous. To make a forced landing in some places is to come down among wild tribesmen of most uncertain temperament.