“WORLD’S POLICEMEN”

Greymouth Evening Star, 11 April 1933, Page 4

“WORLD’S POLICEMEN”

ROYAL AIR FORCE

LONDON, February 9.

British military aeroplanes, the recognised symbols of power and the world’s policemen—that is the impression of a high-speed tour of Royal Air For co stations in the Middle East brought back by Lord Londonderry, Secretary of State for Air. In the space of three weeks he travelled 8000 miles between London and Bagdad, mostly by aeroplane. He flew over Irak from Basra, in the south, to Mosul in the north, travelling over the remains of some of the world’s most ancient civilisations, inspected all units of the R.A.. stationed in Egypt, Palestine, and Irak, and returned to London after an absence which, by any other means than the aeroplane, would have sufficed for little more than the outward journey alone. In Lord Londonderry’s own words, given in an interview; on his return; “The air was the reason for my journey and the only thing that made it possible.” In every country ho saw convincing evidence of the growth of aviation and the value of air power. “The whole of the Middle East,” he said, “seems to me to afford ideal conditions for Hying. Communications are not highly developed, the distances arc great, and there is no special difficulty in providing sufficient landing grounds. South of Egypt the officials, business men, and farmers in Kenya and Tanganika regard Imperal Airways as the normal method of travelling to and from England, and save both time and money in this way. “The time at my disposal unfortunately did not permit me to visit Khartoum and the Sudan, but 1 heard on all sides of the valuable police work which is being done by the small R.A.F, detachment, at. Khartoum. The problem of Egypt is a very special j one. ami the force does its part with the army in keeping watch and ward over our communications through that country. Once the boundary into Asia is crossed the R.A.F. becomes the symbol of British power and Life world’s policeman.

THE MIDDLE EAST. “In the Middle East, indeed, the R.A.F. plays the part which the British Navy has for so many years played on the sea. It keeps order among refractory tribes, it goes to Hie assistance of aircraft and t.ravelin. distress, ami it is constantly engaged m battle with, the elements, with fierce winds 1 , dust storms, fog, and rain. Everywhere 1 found the same high standards of discipline, keenness, intelligence, and efficiencv.

“During (he eigb.i days I spent in. Irak 1 saw much, of Ihe varied types of country which comprise, that kingdom—the haie, rocky Syrian Desert, the river country of the centre, the marshes around Basra, and the stupendous mountains of the north and north-east. I Hew over thc districts in which, (lie Royal Air Force auroplanes have been, operating during the last two years, suuh as tie- Uarz.au a n.d l lin n.!, areas. I saw the remain;.; of civilisation which have in turn occupied the country for more than 6000 years.”

In response to a. question, Lord Londonderry stated most firmly that any reduction in the present British Air Force would react on police work in the East. He added that the units now engaged there, represented the minimum required. For another twenty-live years the K.A-F. has to shoulder responsibilities in Irak. Next year Lord Londonderry hopes Io pay a similar visit to service

stations in India. Personal inspection and. study on the spot of the many problems of defence and organisation he holds to lie essential to Ihc right understanding and intelligent guidance of. his Department of State. .In this h.u follow:, the precedent set by earlier Air Ministers, notably by the late Lord Thomson and by Sir Samuel Jfoare, who never missed an opportunity to extend in his practical wav their knowledge of the great service for which they were responsible.