AIR CO-OPERATION IN A.I.F.

Press, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23495, 25 November 1941, Page 4

AIR CO-OPERATION IN A.I.F.

RECOMMENDED FOR HOME FORCES SIR THOMAS BLAMEY’S REPORT (0.C.) SYDNEY, November 17, In all future engagements, the A.I.F. will be supported by squadrons of fighter aeroplanes and light bombers, controlled by A.I.F. Field Commanders. The Minister for the Army, Mr Forde, revealed this after an interview with General Sir Thomas Blarney, General Officer Commanding the A.I.F. in the Middle East. Mr Forde said General Blarney had recommended similar direct air co-operation with the Army in Australia. His report is being considered by the Chief of the General Staff, Lieutenant-General Sturdee, the Chief of the Air Staff, Sir Charles Burnett, and the General Officer Commanding the Home Defences, Lieutenant-General Iven Mackay. The A.I.F. in the Middle East is receiving instructional courses in air cooperation to increase its striking power in land offensives. In earlier Battles aircraft were only used for reconnaissance and bombing communications and their operations were controlled, by the Air Commands. In future, AJ.F. field commanders will have the use of aircraft for reconnaissance of battlefields, bombing enemy communications, attacks on enemy infantry and artillery, to assist in a break-through, routing retreating enemy, and protection against enemy strafing from the air. The new system has been made possible by the supply of hundreds of extra aeroplanes and air crews to the Middle East in the last few months. Officers who saw the German system operating in Greece and Crete are giving the instruction. It is expected that the same plans will be adopted by the A.I.F. in Malaya. Major-General Gordon Bennett, General Officer Commanding the