BRITAIN IN THE AIR.

Auckland Star, Volume LVI, Issue 11, 14 January 1925, Page 5

BRITAIN IN THE AIR.

HOME DEFENCE FORCE. THE SPECIAL RESERVES. SMALL REGULAR NUCLEUS. I I'}" >.'■■>■• Cress Association.—Copyright.) '■■ civcii i,:;o pm i ! "-NIK ).\, January 1:1. "'.''•' ; '• ,! "' programme of the Air I Mini-( v . ""' ''"" the non-regular j vine- ' tiie regular units, form the R' n "' : ' '•'"'"'' X, "'cc. «ill be divided into spvcii -.• ,il re-erve and six auxiliary ''"' ' -.|U;n Irons, tlie two groups form:' "i ■ quarter of the total force. 1 MH.iry group will be a territorial or-iiii-ation with the smallest nuclei - .-; regular personnel, but a special re.-crve administered through the norm.il -ervi. ,■ channels will be onetliirrl regular and two-thirds special resenc. The i..t:,l strength of the two groups will I"- :u.pro:Minutely :ilio officers and - 4 '" l <'"'">""■- '.A- and N.Z. Cable.] STATION AVC SINGAPORE. LONDON, January 13. Tlic "Daily Herald" forecasts the early consideration by the Cabinet of a project to c.-ln'ili-h n large air station at Singapore.- i A. and N.Z. fable.) BRTTAIN'S LATEST PLANS. BIG DEVELOPMENTS. LONDON", January 3. Mime air warfare, in which Britain's fastest lighters, armed with camera giins .o photographically record hits, will endeavour to intercept raiders dropping flour bombs on given objectives, will he included in the intensive training to bo gi\cn the new home defence air force under Sir John Salmon.l, who ultimately will command lion aeroplanes and seaplanes and Iii.OOO men. Mr John Salmon,] j s planning a huge landplane and seaplane base at Sheerness and a night-flying station at Hendon. In December, 1024, the Secretary of State for Air (Sir Samuel Hoare) in an interview regarding Britain's air ; expansion programme, said it was the : snme as when he was previously in office. He anticipated that the programme would include 52 air squadrons for home defence. IS of which would be fully formed by the cud of the year, and live reserve squadrons. The latter were expectod to h e completed in 11)25. One of the chief aims was the extension of the routes to India and Australia, which the Government had constantly in view. as part of the scheme for closer intercourse and consultation with the Dominions. The Estimates would provide for the financial encouragement and establishment of aeroplane clubs.