AMERICAN AIRCRAFT

Evening Star, Issue 23526, 15 March 1940, Page 5

AMERICAN AIRCRAFT

THE ALLIED PURCHASES EFFECT ON HOME DEFENCE PROGRAMME AN INQUIRY ORDERED WASHINGTON, March 13. • The controversy over the Allied plane purchases is growing. A sub-commit-tee of the House of Represe'ntatves has been ordered to make an inquiry whether the purchases are proceeding to the point of hampering the United States defence programme. It has called the Secretary for War (Mr H. H. Woodring) and General Marshall to testify.

A demand for a similar investigation was made in the Senate by Senator La Follette. Meanwhile President Roosevelt and members of the Special Interdepartmental Co-ordinating Committee have reviewed the aircraft situation, particularly the extent to which foreign orders are increasing, the capacity of the American plant, and also the question of price increases which some predict.

Senator Barkley defended the purchases as contributing to production and employment.

The Under-Secretary for War (General Hugh Johnson) denied that thus far there was any side-tracking of the. United States’ military orders. [The Army Department in the United States announced on Tuesday that the Allies had been granted permission to purchase the newly-designed Curtiss pursuit planes, with a speed of 400 miles an hour. The Washington correspondent of the United Press later reported that a major controversy over the sale of new military planes to Britain and France was likely to follow.] NAZI AIR RAIDERS BRITISH FIGHTERS TAKE THEIR TOLL FORTY ENEMY PLANES SHOT DOWN LONDON, March 14. An analysis of the German air raids against Britain Shows increasing enemy losses. This is partly due to the seasonal change in the weather conditions, but another factor is the improved methods of -attack by British fighters. Some 40 enemy planes have been shot down in the first six months of the war, and about 17 more so severely damaged as to be probable losses. Not a single British fighter has been lost in these air actions. “ STAND-TO ” ORDER R.A.F. WARNED GROWING CHANCE OF ATTACK LONDON, March 7. A warning by R.A.P. headquarters to air units in France to be fully ready for action does not mean that the commanding officers expect an immediate German attack. It merely indicates that everybody realises that the moment is approaching when an attack is more possible and more likely. The many weeks of inaction, despite continuing tension, experienced by the young pilots, observers, and gunners comprising the advancing air striking force, have tended to induce boredom. The recent wintry weather reduced reconnaissance activity and kept airmen on the ground; but airmen, like infantrymen, must be constantly reminded that the enemy may strike. Already, with the return of fine weather and the disappearance of snow and ice, the opposing air forces are more active. ADVENT OF THAW. After the first partial thaw, aerodromes became very wet, and machines, when landing, ploughed great ruts in the soft mud. Later hardening caused the machines sometimes to break off the tail wheels while bumping on the scarred surfaces, on which the ridges were as hard as iron.

It is not long since mechanics, muffled like Polar explorers, tuned the engines in tents heated ■with oil stoves. Now the tents have been discarded and the fields are firm again under blue skies. This feeling that the war, hitherto confined to the sea, may soon be extended to large-scale air and land operations, is shared by all the peoples of Europe. The evacuation of children and expectant mothers from London and provincial and coastal cities, which was largely negatived by thousands returning to their homes because of the absence of air raids, is being replanned on the same big scale as in September. The Government announces that- the second evacuation will occupy six days instead of three.

The slogan, “ Holidays as usual;” is being encouraged, but the Government desires that holidays should be spread over a longer period than the popular month of August, with a view to minimum dislocation of industries. Another indication of the belief in Britain that “ something may happen ” is seen in the intensified manufacture of gas masks, including masks for pet dogs and cats, and even for horses, which are fitted with adjustable neckstraps and zipper fasteners. It is remarkable that the animals do not resent the gas masks!

The completion of the air raid protection of the Vatican is reported. The Vatican spokesman points out it is merely precautionary measure, and the Vatican is not apprehensive of immediate danger.