R.A.F. Recruiting Drive Insurance Against War

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 22759, 4 October 1948, Page 5

R.A.F. Recruiting Drive Insurance Against War

(9 a.m.) LONDON, Oct. 3. The rather sombre picture which has been drawn of the R.A.F.’s needs was not intended to be alarmist but realistic in the light of the present international situation, said the Secretary of State for Air, Sir Arthur Henderson, at the opening of the recruiting drive.

Britain’s defence forces were not instruments of aggression, but an insurance against war dangers and threats to security.

Sir Arthur Henderson said the target was 1000 regular recruits a week for the next two years—loo,ooo men in all. The target' for reserves was 60,000 — 35,000 for the R.A.F. Volunteer Reserve, and 25,000 for the Royal Auxiliary Air Force.

The regular strength of men and women had to be built up from 129,000 to 180,000 over the next two years. Two-Pronged Drive

Sir Arthur Henderson declared that the campaign would include a twopronged drive—for reserves because, without reserves, the R.A.F. could not expand in war to recover from the first

shock of attack and for the regulars because, without regulars, there might not be any R.A.F. to expand. He stated that the recent appeal for aircrew recruits on improved terms produced an immediate response with applications for pilot and navigator courses rising from 50 to 200 weekly. In addition, 1100 former members of aircrews had applied' to return to the R.A.F. within the last fortnight. Sir Arthur Henderson said the formation of a meteorological reserve was under consideration. "Weakness Invites Aggression” "An international police force will come one day, but, meanwhile, it is our duty to take every step to preserve our position in the world,” he added. “Every citizen must play a part in the defence of his country” The Chief of the Air Staff, Lord Tedder, stated that history showed that weakness invited aggression while military history in the last war proved that weakness in the air meant military, economic and political disaster. “We are emerging from the slough but still we need recruits in numbers and quality.” . , „ .■„ .. . Lord Tedder believed that Britain led the world with fighter planes but he issued a warning that fighters could not yet catch rockets.