DEFENCES OF WESTERN EUROPE

Press, Volume LXXXVI, Issue 26119, 23 May 1950, Page 5

DEFENCES OF WESTERN EUROPE

Strength of Britain In

The Air

REVIEW BY AIR MARSHAL LORD TEDDER

(N.Z. Press Association—Copyright) (Rec. 10 p.m.) WASHINGTON, May 21. In his first interview since he became British member of the permanent working group of the North Atlantic Military Committee, Air Marshal Lord Tedder said that Western victory in the race to rearm adequately before Russia had many atomic bombs depended heavily on increased military power in France. Central Europe, as well as Europe west of the Rhine, also must be made secure. The main threats to the United Kingdom were air and submarine attacks. Britain was building up a balanced air force with medium bombers to strike at the sources of enemy power, and fighters to defend the skies and support ground forces. The Royal Air Force was working to develop a fast jet bomber with a range comparable with that of the American 829. That would mean an aeroplane able to carry bombs 2000 miles and return, he said. Britain now had a more powerful version of the Vampire jet fighter—the A enom. It had been ordered in quantity for the Royal Air Force. France. Holland, and Belgium had obtained Vampires from Britain, and France was beginning production of the same fighters under licence. The French also had a fighter which was a step ahead of the Vampire.