Air Raid Menace

Manawatu Times, Volume 63, Issue 174, 26 July 1938, Page 2

Air Raid Menace

LONDON, July 14. There are many rumours of the resignation of the Secretary of State for War, Mr L. Hore-Belisha, but his resignation is not expected by wellinformed observers. A burning question since Mr D. Sandys, M.P., was accused of attempting to reveal secret information has been: Has Britain enough anti-aircraft guns! There is fear that the guns are being produced too slowly. Some people who should know say that Britain is seriously under-gunned. The War Office makes no statement. Mr Hore-Belisha has made no statement except that the production of the new 3.7 anti-aircraft gun is substantial. Comments by Expert Major-General A. C, Temperley, whose distinguished work as military adviser to the Government on several occasions gives his views particular weight, writing in the Daily Telegraph, notes that so far as the old 3-inch gun is concerned he understands artillery experts consider it to be a serviceable weapon. He states that the 3-inch anti-air-craft guns, recently the subject of considerable criticism, are still regarded by War Office experts as essential to the general scheme of defence, and they will remain so. “Although production of this type has now ceased, and is being concentrated on the newer 3.7-inch gun, none of the older type will be scrapped," he adds. “The process of renovating all existing 3-inch guns for use with new instruments is proceeding, and it is contended that their range is far hgher than has been suggested by crtics, jwhile they are more rapid in action than the 3.7-inch guns. All the 3-incll guns will be equipped with a new shell, which is said to provide a bigger burst than indicated by recent unofficial statements. One of these guns, which la being made to the order of a foreign Power, is now being shown by Vickers on their stand at the Glasgow Exhibition.” Major-General Temperley declares that the final design of the bigger and more powerful 3.7-inch guns was approved just one year ago. It is pointed out that in the past it has been thought impossible to produce a new gun on a commercial scale within less than two years, possible 18 months, of conception, while production of the 3.7-inch guns is now going forward steadily and regularly, at a rate not exceeded in the Great War. A year or so ago, it is stated, there were few, if any manufacturers capable of making these instruments of precision. Giving an example of the speed with which the process of supplies has been accelerated, he says that a factory at Nottingham, which was a bare site one year ago, is now producing guns, 3.7* inch guns among them. There is, however, still a shortage of skilled personnel. “As the guns are completed they are being passed on to the Territorial 1 units," he states. “For the purpose of this latest expansion both 3-inch and 3.7-inch guns will obviously be needed in large quantities."