EFFORT TO INCREASE SUPPLIES

Press, Volume LXXXIV, Issue 25547, 15 July 1948, Page 5

EFFORT TO INCREASE SUPPLIES

“With no indication of any relaxation in the Russian blockade of Berlin, a greater effort than ever will now be made by British aircraft to fly in supplies of food and coal for the city’s Western sectors so long as the necessity remains,” says the Berlin correspondent of “The Times.’’ “On concluding his inspection of air facilities both in the British zone and at Gatow airport, Mr Arthur Henderaon, Secretary of State for Air, yes-

terday gave an assurance that all air resources that could usefully be employed would be used to defeat the blockade. “ ‘AU possibilities, including the use of gliders and more flying-boats, are being considered,’ he said. He added: We are carrying out a humanitarian operation in order to save Berlin’s inhabitants from being used as pawns in a political contest which is not of our choosing.’ “While he had no authority to speak for the United States Air Force, he was confident, he ;aid, that the Americans had the same spirit of determination as the Royal Air Force. The 'air lift’ was essentially a joint enterprise—one which he described as the greatest peace-time air transport operation ever undertaken.’’ Though the British Chiefs of Staff have decided that the air deliveries must be increased, it is authoritatively

believed that the number of additional transport aeroplanes, available falls far short of the figure which the British Military Governor in Germany (General Sir Brian Robertson) wants, and would not exceed 50. The Chief of the Air Staff (Marshal of the Royal Air Force Lord Tedder) will visit Berlin on Saturday to examine the problem of increasing the air deliveries. The British Government has asked air charter firms to prepare to supply aeroplanes to join the Royal Air Force in supplying Berlin. A total of 220 British and 206 United States aeroplanes flew an estimated 2047 tons of supplies into Berlin yesterday, establishing a record for air deliveries to the city. Yesterday’s operations made the total of supplies flown in 20,263 tons. Berlin’s Food Stocks An American spokesman said yesterday that there was enough food in the Western sectors to meet the ration for at least four weeks. Supplies brought in by air had kept the stocks at the level they were when the Russians started the blockade nearly three weeks ago. The coal problem in Berlin is growing more serious, however, and the city has less than two weeks’ normal supply or about one month’s supply on the present reduced consumption. The Berlin correspondent of the “Manchester Guardian” says that American aeroplanes have flown in only about 2000 tons of coal. This is less than half a day’s normal supply. Major-General George P. Hays, the Deputy United States Military Governor. in a letter to the Soviet Chief of Staff, has denied that American aircraft have exceeded their rights in using the air corridor to Berlin. ■ General Sir Brian Robertson has arrived back in Berlin after talks in London with the Foreign Secretary (Mr Bevin) and the Chiefs of Staff. On his way he called at Hamburg, where he met Mr R. A. Eden, and they' travelled to Berlin together.