ARMY AND NAVY

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 77, 30 April 1942, Page 5

ARMY AND NAVY

R.A.F. CO-OPERATION SIR ARCHIBALD SINCLAIR EXPLAINS PROGRESS (Rec. 11.0 a.m.) Rugby, April 29. The Air Minister. Sir* Archibald Sinclair, replying to a question in the House of Commons on co-operation between the R.A.F. and the Army, said, “R.A.F. squadrons have co-operated with the Army in reconnaissance, spotting, close support and such other tactics as may be agreed upon by commanders in the field. For specialised duties Army co-operation squadrons are allotted to Army commands and are attached to particular formations with which they train and operate. These squadrons are assisted by light bomber squadrons and by fighter squadrons specially detailed for the purpose and trained in Army air support with special emphasis on the attack of battl field targets. “Strategic support is afforded by other units of the R.A.F. and when suitable opportunities occur all available resources of the R.A.F. are used for Army support. In order to facilitate the closest co-operation between the two services and foster a mutual understanding of requirements, officers are .nterchanged between Army and R.A.F. turmations and pilots, and other aircrews have a short tour of duty with Army units before they complete their training ” Regarding the co-operation of the R.A.F. and the Navy, Sir Archibald said, “It is already close and effective. It is our constant care to improve it and I need not stress again the efficiency of that co-operation at home. The activities of the Coastal Command are expanded consistently with the claims of overseas requirements, and play a growing part in the battle of the Atlantic. The entire strength of the Bomber Command is available for cooperation with the Navy when suitable opportunities occur, and in fact for the 12 months ended last February about 50 per cent, of the targets engaged by ’he Bomber Command were naval, or were attacked directly at the Admiralty’s re 3 uest. In theatres of war abroad 1 recent reports testify to the co-operation between the Navy and the R.A.F.’- i 8.0. W.