ATLANTIC BATTLE

Auckland Star, Volume LXXII, Issue 193, 16 August 1941, Page 5

ATLANTIC BATTLE

AND LAND AIRCRAFT

USE IN COASTAL COMMAND

Land aircraft are taking an increasingly prominent part in the Battle of the Atlantic.

To the uninitiated, the term "Coastal Command" seems to indicate a command in control of flying boats and seaplanes only. But in today's struggle around the shores of Britain Coastal Command controls many more land aeroplanes than waterborne craft.

In the Battle of the Atlantic, flying boats have the greatest range of action and initiate the air escort and protection by meeting the convoys far out in mid-Atlantic. But multiengine landplanes daily escort convoys, patrol submarine areas and attack enemy air raiders. Both British and American built aircraft participate in this work. One American aeroplane, the Lockheed [Hudson, has particularly distinguished itself under Coastal Comimand control in the Atlantic air war.

I It is in the use of these land airjc.raft over water that British and !American workmanship stands out. j Rarely, indeed is a land aircraft 'forced to alight in the sea due to engine or structural trouble. taircraft have several advantages over flying boats, but in exchange must concede certain points. The flying boat has a greater range of action and usually possesses a much heavier armament. The land aircraft is faster and more manoeuvrable.

Coastal Comr and land aircraft at present operating over the Atlantic can easily out-manoeuvre any enemy raider and shoot it down. The flying boat, having a bigger hull, has additional comforts. The pilot can walk around and stretch his legs; the crew can smoke.

Coastal Command makes full use of the salient advantages of both flying boat and land aircraft, and it is due to a carefully interlocking usage of these aircraft that Britain ihas established and maintains air Idomination of the Atlantic and the isafe escort of convoys to home ports.