MOUNTING STRENGTH

Dominion, Volume 34, Issue 273, 14 August 1941, Page 8

MOUNTING STRENGTH

Dominion Air Forces

AUSTRALIA’S EFFORT (British Official Wireless.) (Received August 13, 8.30 p.m.) RUGBY, August 12.

The steadily mounting strength of the Dominions is reflected in recent news of the Australian and South African air programmes. Australia’s export of aeroplanes in 1042 will exceed £12,000,000 in value, with a total production value of £20,000,000, according to Mr. John Storey, Commissioner for Aircraft Production.

A large percentage of tile aircraft produced wil be Beaufort medium torpedo bombers, the fastest of their type in the world.

Tiie opening of additional schools is enabling a constantly increasing number of Australian airmen to be trained in their own country: Tire ground crews are now trained entirely in Aus; tralia. One-fifth of the pilots and a quarter of the air gunners,- observers, and wireloss operators still finish their training in Canada under .he Air Training Scheme, and some are sent to Rhodesia, but these proportions are growing less. •

Speaking at the coming-of-age of the South African Air Force on Monday, Field-Marshal Smuts said South Africa which started the war with an air force of only one squadron and a total of 1500 pilots and mechanics, today had over 2000 pilots and additional personnel of at least 25,000, of which about 3000 were women. In co-operation with the British Government South Africa was building up a far more powerful air force which would Involve a total of 50,000 men and women.