“CONTINUAL ALERT”

Press, Volume XCVII, Issue 28766, 11 December 1958, Page 17

“CONTINUAL ALERT”

U.S. H-Bombers In Britain (Rec. 9 p.m.) LONDON, December 10. More United States bombers in Britain are to be put on “continual alert” at the end of runways with hydrogen-bombs and full fuel tanks, the “News Chronicle” air correspondent reported today. pie correspondent said: "Onethird of the jet bomber fleet stationed here will be ready to take off within 14 minutes of an alarm.” This would put the eight main United States Air Force bases in Britain in line with the American stations of the Strategic Air Command, he wrote. The U.S.A.F. bases in Britain—the Strategic Air Commands most important overseas centre—are equipped with 650 miles per hour, 8.47 jet bombers. The “News Chronicle” writer said that the size of the total fleet and the numbers at readiness were secret, but he estimated that the “new plans will mean 40 to 50 H-bombers at 14 minute readiness in Britain.”

Two other British newspapers reported today that Britain was On the point of deciding whether her H-bomb deterrent of the future will be delivered by submarine-fired missile. landbased rocket or supersonic bomber.

According to the "Daily Express.” Britain might depend on the American submarine-fired rocket Polaris for meeting a nuclear war. But the “Daily Mail” said the chances were that the Bluestreak rocket would be chosen.

Expert opinion was going against the Polaris, for it was a solid-fuelled rocket which was inferior in performance to the liquid-filled Bluestreak, the "Daily Mail” said.