BRITAIN’S NEW ARMY

Greymouth Evening Star, 9 December 1940, Page 8

BRITAIN’S NEW ARMY

“RAPID' MOBILITY.” '• [BRITISH OFFICIAL WIRELESS.] RUGBY, December 7. For a revolutionised army, which has emerged in Britain since . the withdrawal . from France, British forces have produced tanks and guns surpassing anything previously used in battle by British units. Much, of the newest “rapid mobility” equipment comes from Canada and other Empire ■ countries. -Many German principles have been improved on, particularly in the reorganisation of armoured, units. Modern armoured fighting vehicles ■have been rebuilt and re-equipped in remarkably short time. There are light tanks, cruiser tanks, and vehicles of heavy tonnage, also motorcycle and - reconnaissance squadrons, and a variety of armoured cars. It is claimed many of the tanks are better than those the Germans have yet devised, and that new mobile guns provide a fire-power never before achieved. The tank men are amongst the keenest of the whole military organisation. Many are short, powerful soldiers, who speak a technical jargon, almost incomprehensible to other branches of the service. AERIAL CO-OPERATION. RUGBY, December 7. The development of technique of co-operation between air and ground forces were foreshadowed in a re-cently-formed army- co-operational command of the Royal Air Force. When the time comes for new land operations against the German Army, it will be found that in this sphere, as in 1918, Britain “has something.” Types of bomber aircraft to be found over future battlefields will undoubtedly be an advance on the notorious German Junkers 87 dive bomber, which has achieved considerable success against Poland and France, by exploiting special conditions. Against Britain’s defences the Junkers 87 failed—over half the raiding forces being destroyed. Several British, single-engine aircraft have been designed for divebombing, including the Blackburn Skua and Hawker Henley. An indication of the general trend is afforded by certain American attack bombers, which were supplied to the French Air Force. One—the Marain 167 M.D.—carries about half a ton of bombs, and has a maximum speed of 320 miles an hour, and a maximum range at cruising speed of over 2000 miles. The Douglas D.B. 7 is another medium bomber type, with great possibilities for army work, it being designed for both precision and dive-bombing, and having an estimated top speed of about 330 miles an hour.

MORE MEN AVAILABLE. RUGBY, December 6. The raising of the age of reservation from war service to 30 in more than 150 occupations in the coalmining industry, by which underground workers are mainly affected, is announced by the Ministry of Labour and National Service. It. is estimated that this will release between 250,000 and 300,000 men for service in the armed forces. Tribunals are being set up in the various coal mining districts to report on the number of men under 30 who will be released, and each tribunal will consist of an independent chairman and two representatives each of the mine owners and workers.