The Press TUESDAY, MAY 13, 1952. American Bases In Britain

Press, Volume LXXXVIII, Issue 26729, 13 May 1952, Page 6

The Press TUESDAY, MAY 13, 1952. American Bases In Britain

If the account by the French newspaper “Le Monde” of Admira: Fechteler’s views on the flimsiness of the defences of Western Europe and the vulnerability of Britain were correct, there would be little apparent foundation for the defence organisation that is being established. The article has since been officially contradicted. The activities of General Eisenhower and the development of the North Atlantic plans certainly did not suggest that “ Le Monde’s ” view was generally held, and the heavy American investment in 28 bases, supply centres, and depots in Britain also discounted the article, although it is no secret that the British bases are less important to the Americans than their bases on the Continent, in North Africa, and in the Eastern Mediterranean. The United States is sharing with the Royal Air Force the cost of developing the aerodromes it uses, and is supplying much of the scarcer material required. These bases are not primarily for offensive use, but are of considerable value in .the air defence of Britain. Indeed, the

American squadrons equipped with ; Sabre jet fighters are probably the only units under the general direction of the Fighter Command able to intercept high-flying bombers. The Americans first put combat aircraft into Britain at the time of the Berlin air lift. 60 bombers being stationed there in July, 1948, by arrangement with Mr Ernest Bevin. The personnel at that time numbered about 6000, but there has been a steady increase to the present number of about 30,000. In addition, there are American Army engineer and artillery units and about 2000 naval men in Britain. According to recent articles in the “ Economist ”, the American air units in Britain are in two categories. First, there are the bombers of the 7th Air Division, which can presumably carry atomic bombs. These squadrons are now stationed in Britain as part of their training programme, to accustom the crews to flying in Europe. Usually there is one wing (with 45 bombers and 20 tanker aircraft) at a time, staying generally three months. There have been as many as three wings at once, and some have stayed as long as seven months. The United States Air Force has similar operational training centres in the Pacific, Alaska, the Caribbean, and Labrador. In the second category are fighter aircraft under the command of the 3rd Air Force, with headquarters in Germany. They normally comprise one escort wing, and (since last August) one interceptor wing, each with 75 aircraft. The interceptor wing was given its assignment for the specific purpose of strengthening Britain’s air defence. The normal stay of fighter wings in Europe is three months. The Americans use three bomber bases in East Anglia and four in Oxfordshire and Gloucestershire, and two fighter bases in Suffolk and one in Kent, plus others that have not been disclosed. Altogether, 10 per cent, of the United States servicemen in Europe are in Britain, although it is expected that this proportion will decline as other bases are expanded. The available information suggests that American establishments and commitments in Britain are neither as big as some critics of the United States seem to think, nor as small as the article in “Le Monde”- might suggest.