CONFLICT IN THE AIR

Waikato Times, Volume 125, Issue 20906, 11 September 1939, Page 11

CONFLICT IN THE AIR

PRE-WAR EXERCISES FIGHTERB FRUSTRATE BOMBERS

BIGGEST DEMONSTRATION STAGED Britain's vast organisation for protection against air attack —by destruction of raiding aircraft and by heavy counter-offensive bombing of aerodromes and other military objectives in enemy territory was demonstrated shortly before the outbreak of present hostilities when a lightning "war” was fought non-stop for three days and nights over a battle area measuring fifty thousand square miles In the biggest air exercises yet staged in the world. Thirteen hundred Hoyal Air Force first-line warplanes were engaged. Bombing fleets made no fewer than 700 day and night raids at the average rate of ten an hour or one every six minutes throughout the exercises. Ranged for the defence of “Westland”—an imaginary country embracing south-east and east Midlands areas of Britain with a total seaboard of about 400 miles —were some 800 lighter, bomber and general reconnaissance aircraft, 110 anti-aJrcraft units, 700 searchlights and hundreds of balloons ringing vital points. Air fleets of the attackers, from "Eastland,” aggregated 500 bombers all of which were required to approach British coasts uuder conditions closely simulating actual warfare. Impressive as these figures are, they represent only a fi action of the tremendous power now existing for home defence and counter-offensive. Surprise feature of the exercises svas the persistent bad weather which involved attackers and defenders in a conllict of high speed “blind man’s buff.” Eastland’s forces set defence fighters baffling problems of interception by taking advantage of clouds or mist for low flying attacks; on the other hand some of the attackers’ effort was wasted as cloud formations, behind which they had sheltered, masked targets they had flown as much as four hundred miles to bomb. Official Verdict Detailed reports are still filtering In from individual flights and squadrons and some time must elapse before the Air Staff can reach its llual views on the "war’s” results, though the main lesson is already clear, and has been expressed by Air Chief Marshal Sir Hugh Dowding, head of the Fighter Command. ‘Royal Air Force, in these words: "I conlldently believe that serious air attacks on Britain would be brought to a standstill within a very short space of time." Minute by minute scouts and raiders flashed messages to their Command headquarters, telling in staccato, telegraphic style the progress of an air conflict pursued at furious pace. “War” broke out at eight in the evening. In readiness to meet the assault 500 fighter aircraft were at war stations, fuelled and at a moment's call. Immediately before the formal declaration of war, Eastland's bombers were sent up to prepare for sudden attacks as quickly as possible. In the first forty minutes of hostilities no fewer than eleven bombing raids taxed the defence over a wide area. Across the east coast sped formations of Blenheim, Hampden, Whitley and Wellington bombers, aiming to deliver effective blows before night closed down. All of them were spotted by men of the Observer Corps. Warnings of raids went through direct to defence headquarters. Squadrons of Hurricane and Spitfire eightgun lighters took off to engage them. As darkness fell masses of bombers were signalled over southern and northern areas, while a wall of rain stretching diagonally across Westland blanketed attackers from defenders. Raiders’ Onslaught Furious air combat continued during the night. Fighters encountered the majority of the 160 raids launched in darkness by Eastland. One hundred of these attacks concentrated on southern sectors, in defence of which sixty fighter patrols took the air. Along northern salients Eastland directed sixty raids, against which forty fighter patrols were mustered in time to take much of the sting from their attaok. Defence was hindered by the skill with which Eastland varied its attacks at heights between 400 and 10,000 feet despite the adverse weather. Dawn saw a temporary slackening in the onslaught, but soon attacks began to spread over a wider front. A feint attack reported over Skegness precluded a mass raid on London. Up the Thames and over the south-eastern counties moved eight bomber formations. Vigorous opposition faced them. Bombers which attempted a detour to key centres near Uxbridge were given a particularly fiery reception. Following a slight lull attacks swung to the Cambridge-Chelmsford sector, and then over the Wash. At midday thousands of Londoners witnessed a thrilling battle overhead when a formation of bombers was set upon by Spitfire lighters. At this time the enemy were delivering attacks on all sides; their bombers were reported simultaneously at Hyde Park, Ipswich, Birmingham, Gravesend, Clacton, over the Thames estuary, and in concentrated attack on the Isle of Wight defences. Fighters’ Success New tactics were introduced as the weather deteriorated and smaller bomber formations were used. Pressure was unrelieved against the southern districts. Spitfire fighters W’ere again mentioned in despatches for their effective work against raiders over Spalding, Cambridge, and Bassingbourne. Attacks waned as the weather closed down and preparations were made for night warfare. Twenty-four hours after the outbreak ol' war few imagined that the

hectic pace of attack could be eustained. But by nightfall fourteen enemy formations dashed a Wash near Grimsby. Despite fog. ruin and drizzle, fighters found and attacked most of the raiders, w’ho exploited low flying tactics in an endeavour to slip through unchallenged. Big Wellington bombers skimmed the tree tops. Soon the guide to location given by the unmistakable shape of the Waah coastline—at first a help to the incoming raiders—proved a trap for the enemy; fighters were in wait for any who followed this eaey approach. All night the attacks continued over a wide area. Early the next morning a big formation moved up the Thames estuary, and split 'Up Into smaller units which separated to attack different objectives. In the north observers watched fighters chase bombers away in heartening fashion during a period of intense aJr combat. Clearly the bomber* had no sure refuge in running away. Lost Horizons Heavy rain at this stage cramped the effectiveness of the raiders, though visibility reduced to 1000 yards proved no real deterrent. The feats of pilotage and navigation performed by young pilots, many of whom have yet to reach 21 years of age, can he appreciated by the fact that bombers travelling at only 240 miles an hour had their horizon bounded by 04 seconds’ flight, while the 360 m.p.h. fighters, in 1000 yards visibility conditions, reach the limit of their outlook at any given time in only C seconds. Undoubtedly bomber aDtl lighter crews went satisfactorily through an ordeal which tested them to the utmost. On the ground, the chief honours of the day were won by the fifteen thousand men of the Observer Corps, who traced the track of the bombers with conspicuous success. Ciever deception of one bomber formation was reported. In the mist an Eastland formation dropped its bombs on the hangars of a Westland aerodrome, but the attack failed in Its main objective because the aircraft had been scattered ouL on the aerodrome (where their camouflage colouring protected them) in anticipation of just such an attack. Attacks on Air Bases Sporadic enemy raids continued to brave the weather. More attacks on Westland aerodromes were delivered, indicating that Eastland commanders considered the defence too strong lor effective bombing of other military objectives. Timing of these attacks was most successful; three raids were reported simultaneously over Newbury, uxford and Cambridge. One lone raider flew over a Westland aerodrome and was promptly ‘ shot down” by three home fighters. Meanwhile, complications in the reporting of enemy air movements were introduced by Westland bombers which set out from home bases on missions simulating counter-raids over Eastland. Their passage to and fro was faithfully recorded by Observer Corps, searchlight and anti-aircraft units without detriment Ho defence control and the harrying of the enemy. Quick thinking was called for at Westland headquarters as more »t----tacks developed towards the third I evening of the "war.” Fighter patrols were acoelerated as three heavy offensives were signalled. Shortly after midnight large bomber movements were spotted off the Thames estuary. Fog hampered southern defences. Blackness blotted out the land at 12.30 a.m., when twenty-eight counties co-operated in a darkness test. Lights on the ground were masked or turned off. A concerted Eastland attack on Midlands areas found targets invisible and fighters in wait. Vigilant searchlights picked up formations that descended below the cloud screeu. Air Fleets Duel Repulsed in the north, the enemy switched his attack to the south. Rapid sequence of reports told Command that the bombers were beading for London. Formations converged over the north sector about 2 a.m. Ring after ring of searchlights picked them up, refused to let them go. Bombers had the alternative of hiding in the clouds and missing their designated targets or of appearing over the targets to find swarms of lighters opposing them. Excitement grew at Westland headquarters us it was seen that the thrust and parry of duelling air fleets was swinging gradually in favour of the defenders. This night Eastland delivered 115 raids, the majority of which were dealt with effectively hy the defence. Third day of the battle brought a general offensive in the neighbourhood of the Wash. Improving weather conditions forced the bombers higher to avoid gunfire. One large formation, driven off London, made a detour to Salisbury only to find concentrated opposition In the air and on the ground. Raids Accelerated A major onslaught took place during the afternoon. In four hours 150 raids were reported. Half of them huu London as their objective. Simultaneously, raids were launched over a wide front along the east coast, incidentally, during the whole of the War 1914-18 the total number of raids on Britain was IG3, of which 51 were made b\ airships. Bombs dropped weighed 270 tons—a load which d hundred or so modern bombers could carry on one raid.

Attacks persisted till 7 p.m., w-hen the “war" ended. It had proved a most searching experience for the 11.A.F. personnel engaged. Bad weather had set an edge on an already keen conflict. Bombers and fighters were fully tested; each branch of the service fulfilled optimistic expectations against big odds. Official opinion is that Britain’s lighters are a match for raiding bombers if they sueceed In engaging them. Mechanical and wtructurai dependability of the several types of qjigines and aircraft Involved was proved beyond doubt. Highest tribute falls to the pilots and crews who, during past months, have been trained intensively for active service. Two aspects of the exercises remain outside the scope of tbe official communiques which tell the progress of Ihe war. First, Ihe forces engaged represented a skeleton defence force for the area concerned, and certain peacetime restrictions tied the hands of the defence more than of the attacker*. Secondly, the damage which would he effected by R.A.F. bombers on enemy defences must not be discounted. Maintenance of the heaviest possible counter-offensive is a fundamental principle of British mir strategy.