AIR DEFENCE OF BRITAIN

Press, Volume LXXI, Issue 21536, 27 July 1935, Page 17

AIR DEFENCE OF BRITAIN

LESSONS OF MIMIC

ATTACK

INTERCEPTORS SAID TO HAVE FAILED COMPLETE REORGANISATION EXPECTED , N'ITED PHESS ASsacUTIOM--COrYK'CHT (Received July 26, 7.55 p.m.) LONDON, July 25. The aviation co-respondent of the 'Daily Telegraph" expects the complete reorganisation of British air defences after the air manoeuvres of July 23. He claims that the interceptor theory has broken down because the fighters, in spite of their speed and capacity for fast climbing, were unable to aspend sufficiently quickly to defeat thie bombers. Accordingly, exports are discussing a system of standing patrols, for which big, high-speed aeroplanes armed with two or more shell-fir-ing guns, would be used, enabling them to tackle powerful formations. The patrols would be under the command of an officer in the air, who would dispose hAs force to cover the skies at various altitudes and also direct fighters irom the ground.

Air Marshall Sir Robert BrookePopham, discussing the manoeuvres, praised the excellent work of the combers. He referred particularly lo the dive bombimg carried out by a squadron of Hav/ker Harts. One attack recorded 85 per cent, hits, and another scored 100 per cent. A Fairey Gordon squadron hit the target from a height of 12,000 feet.