SECURITY PATROLS

Evening Post, Volume CXXIX, Issue 23, 27 January 1940, Page 13

SECURITY PATROLS

ARDUOUS R.A.F. DOTY

GERMAN SEAPLANE BASES

NIGHTLY WATCH AND

WARD

(British Official WireUstt.)

(Received January 27, 11.30 a.m.) ' RUGBY, January 26.

Behind the Air Ministry reports of reconnaissance flights and "security patrols" lie stories of arduous duties faithfully accomplished. Neither is the word "security" misused.

In a very short space of time after the discovery that the enemy were laying mines by means of aircraft a regular patrol system was instituted, after which but few German mine-laying ex^ peditidns set out for the English coast. Aircraft, when taking Off or landing, need lights to show the way, and the task of the Royal Air Force is to see that those lights are. more often off than.on at the German seaplane bases. If the airmen can achieve this journey through dark cloud, fog, frost, and rain it has not been made in vain.

Night after night-aircraft of the bomber command set out to prevent the. enemy leaving their waterways. As they come down to a few hundred feet above the sea, a black-out is enforced upon the German bases. If the mere presence of British aircraft does not extinguish the lights a bomb or two is always found to be effective. Sometimes ships are seen which, when challenged, do not answer. Immediately their number, position, and course is wirelessed to England.

If close investigation is needed, R.A.F. machines drop parachute flares, which illuminate the whole area of the sea.

Nor are the patrols unopposed. Intense anti-aircraft fire is frequent, and occasionally enemy fighters hang about the sky. So'goes on the incessant "watch and ward," and so is the safety of the sea preserved not only for the Royal Navy' and the British merchant service, but for neutral shipping as well. •