NEW DRIVE

Waikato Times, Volume 124, Issue 20728, 11 February 1939, Page 16 (Supplement)

NEW DRIVE

/GREATER CO-OPERATION between the navy and me air iorce m modern warfare is considered to be of paramount importance to preserve the integrity of the Empire. At the same time it is considered most necessary to augment the striking power of the fleet air arm if the safety of the world-wide network of Britain’s sea routes is to be maintained. This is reflected in the latest drive of the authorities, which have made an official call for 1000 men who will shortly begin service as air mechanics in the Royal Navy. At the end of four years the fleet air arm personnel will number about 10,000 officers and men. Recent manoeuvres carried out in the vicinity of British war-time basis have demonstrated the efficiency of ship-borne aircraft operating in conjunction with the navy and the appeal for more recruits is indicative of the success with which the mimic battles were “fought.” Early last vear Singapore was the scene of “air. land and sea” exercises when 27 warships, 10,000 troops and 100 aeroplanes were operating day and night. The case for reinforcement of the permanent Royal Air Force established at Singapore was strengthened and new squadrons are likely to be established at the base.

Carriers Under Construction The new aircraft carrier Ark Royal will join the Home Fleet for the spring eruise this year, and five 23-,000-ton carriers arc authorised for construction. Six older carriers are being systematically modernised and overhauled to augment their efficiency. Eventually, first-line strength of the Fleet Air Arm, comprising aeroplanes in carriers and those launched by catapult from battleships and cruisers, may amount to some seven hundred aircraft, or considerably more than the strength of all home defence squadrons of the Royal Air Force in pre-expansion days. Eighteen months have elapsed since the Fleet Air Arm passed from Air Ministry control to the Admiralty. Events have moved quickly. The Navy’s four-year air expansion plan is unfolding according to schedule. Much hinged upon the success of the Ark Royal. Numerous new ideas are embodied in her structure and planning. She is the first British warship designed exclusively for naval air service, and the lessons learned will go to benefit the succeeding craft now in construction. These are the illustrious. the Victorious, the Formidable and the Indomitable, all ships of 23,000 tons, as compared with the Ark Royal’s 22.000 tons. Contracts for the sixth new carrier are not yet placed. Protecting Empire The new ships possess astonishing mobility and will provide means of protection at short notice for the furthest and most isolated territories within the Empire. Their presence in Britain’s Fleet Air Arm means that during a night’s watches a force of 300 aggressive warplanes and 8000 higlv trained fighting men could be moved more than 350 miles. Together with the complement of the existing carriers—Glorious, Furious, Courageous, Herrnes and Eagle, and the seaplane carrier Albatross—a total carrier-borne British air armada of more than 500 aeroplanes will be available for defence at sea. In addition.

the Navy’s battleships, battle-cruisers and cruisers each carry seaplanes which are launched by catapult. Duties of carrier-borne aircraft fall into three broad categories—air fighting, reconnaissance, attack. Multi-gun single-seat fighters are employed to drive off enemy raiders and to defend the fleet at sea from air attack. Reconnaissance, :;aJrcraft locate and shadow enemy Attack takes two forms —by launching torpedoes from torpedo-planes and by dive-bombing. Torpedo-planes may be used to oblige an enemy fleet to alter course (often of paramount importance In a naval engagement), or to attack an. enemy fleet in harbour. Aeroplanes are housed on aircraft carriers in two hangars, each running the length of the ship. Huge lifts convey aircraft weighing thousands of pounds and carrying - heav£ military equipment up to the flight deck for