MIMIC AERIAL WAR

Greymouth Evening Star, 11 August 1930, Page 5

MIMIC AERIAL WAR

LARGE SCALE OPERATIONS

TESTS IN HOMELAND

[BRITISH OFFICIAL WIRELESS.]

RUGBY, August 10.

England will experience four days’ mimic air war this week. The Royal Air Force’s annuaf exercises begin on Tuesday ' and consist, this year; of strategical air operations between the opposing forces of Redland and Blueland. “

The latter, comprising the South and West of England, is equipped chiefly with raiding' craft, and Redland, consisting of North and East of England, has an air force mainly of ■fighters. The operations are designed to test the initiative in attack and defence. Imaginary mountain ranges, vulnerable points, and industrial centres have been sprinkled about the map. Communications between both countries will be constructed almost entirely by wireless. Air Marshal Sir Edward Ellington will be head of the directing staff.’ The Red Colony Force,, commanded, by ; Ab* Vice Marshal Dowding, will consist of eight fighting-squadrons, including - two whbsb craft, have a* speed; Of 180. miles an hour, and five squadrons of "bombers. -The Blue Force, commanded, by Air Marshal Sir John Steel, will comprise squadrons of bombers, and three fighting squadrons.

RIOO’s OFFICERS.

NEW YORK, August 8.

A message from Lakehurst states: Sir D. Burney, Norway, Coleman, Scott and Booth, of R.lOO will visit the aerodrome there to-morrow. They are coming from Montreal and are returning by air, although they are not bringing R.lOO. , ~

STRUCK BY LIGHTNING.

(Received August 11, 8 a.m.). CHICAGO, August 16.

During a thunderstorm over Chicago airport, a monoplane with three people disappeared behind a black cloud, where evidently it was struck by lightning. It crashed into a municipal gas tank. Divers recovered the dead bodies of the pilot and two young nurses but these -were unrecognisable.

EXPRESS FREIGHT SERVICE.

LONDON, August 9. “The Times” says: The Imperial Airways fast Atlantic liners, and American aviation companies are planning to combine to provide for the first express freight service half-way across the world, connecting Canada and America with India in fourteen days, instead of five weeks, as on the ordinary routes, the freight costing about fifteen pence per pound above the usudl rates.