AERIAL DEFENCE

Evening Post, Volume CVI, Issue 129, 28 November 1923, Page 5

AERIAL DEFENCE

THE ITALIAN POLICY

VULNERABLE COAST-LINE

LARGE FORCE OF SEAPLANES.

(UNITED PRJSS ASSOCiAItON.—COriRIGBT.)

CFCBLISHED IN ins TIMES.)

(Received 28th November, 10 a.m.) LONDON, 27th November.

Tho Home correspondent of "The Times" says that Signor Mussolini is determined to create an air force strong enough to compete with other countries. When the Fascist Government entered into office, the country possessed only a hundred effective aeroplanes. To-day tlie Italian Royal Air Force, which is wholly independent of the Army and Navy, has a thousand,machines, and by June will possess 4500. The Government considers that this number .will enable the country adequately to hold its own. Italy's geographical position and natural conformation causes the development of aviation to lie more in the direction of seaplanes than in that of aeroplanes. The Alps on the north are., a formidable barrier against air attack from land; but the vast extent of the sea coast and the strategic position of Italy in relation to the other Mediterranean Powers render a strong force of seaplanes essential to defence. The recent developments are therefore mainly directed to mar:. Tie air defence.