BOMBERS KEY TO DEFENCE

Greymouth Evening Star, 9 May 1936, Page 14

BOMBERS KEY TO DEFENCE

GREAT SPEED ADVANCE. Major C. C. Turner, “Daily Telegraph” Air Correspondent, writes: — A new. phase in defence against air attacks on cities and ports has been brought about by the recent allround increase in the speed of military aeroplanes. Except for certain limited functions, the single-seater fighter 'will not be needed. Some experts indeed, declare that this class of aeroplane is obsolete.

Critical decisions are under consideration, for it is of the greatest importance at the present time that production, training and. technique should not be misdirected. During the war, and until recently, the fighter was one of the most important classes of aeroplane. While bombers flew at no more than about 120 m.p.h. and fighters at 175 rn.p.h., it was possible, given an efficient observation and communication system, to place some reliance upon the interception of raiders. For home defence it has been assumed hitherto that there should be one squadron of fighters to two squadrons of bombers. To-day, however, the situation has changed’. It is now realised that although the speeds of all classes have increased, the fighter, whatever its speed, can no longer be relied upon to intercept raiders on the way to their objective. Moreover, in the weather raiders would choose it has little chance of inflicting damage on them after they have carried out their task.

“Standing” fighter patrols in the air would call for numbers too vast to be possible. Therefore, it has become necessary to rely upon improved passive and active defences of other kinds. Fortunately, these are being improved. But, above all, it is necessary to rely upon the deterrent effect of a potentially terrible counteroffensive. CONVERTIBLE FIGHTERS. It has always been obvious that, of a raming air force, some would get through all defences. There is still reason to believe that casualties would be inflicted upon it, but these can no longer be the result of fighter action except to a very small extent.'

The situation has not been entirely unforeseen, and it is significant that, during the past three years, a two-seater fighter class has been developed. These machines are fairly easily convertible to bombers, although not of great range. The supreme need to-day is for large numbers of long-range highspeed bombers of heavy and medium types. They should have a range which would enable them to operate from bases in England against an enemy’s centres without sacrificing much bomb load for petrol. In conceivable circumstances they would, no doubt, be able to operate from bases on the Continent.

The new situation created by the great speed of the bomber class, it is now recognised', demands a drastic change in the equipment and training programme.