AID TO SOVIET

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 77, 28 May 1942, Page 5

AID TO SOVIET

FLOWING THROUGH MIDDLE EAST DUKE OF GLOUCESTER’S TOUR (Rec. noon). Rugby, May 27. Touring the Middle East, the Duke of Gloucester had an opportunity of seeing a great deal of the British and American aid that is flowing to Russia. At an aerodrome where his plane landed a number of American built bombers was dispersed. They represented only a small part of the bomber fleet that is being flown to Russia day after day. Later the Duke was shown some assembly plants for these aircraft. Many of ..them in the first instance had been assembled by R.A.F. technicians. Now an increasing number of American engineers are arriving and taking over the task. Once they have assembled the aircraft they are handed over to Russian pilots who fly them over the wildest mountainous country in all weathers direct to Russia and the eastern front. The rate which aid is arriving cannot be divulged, but the Duke was given some idea of it when he arrived at another aerodrome. Just before his own aircraft arrived an aircraft with Russian crews aboard had put down, refuelled and flown off straight to Russia. That is just part of the daily contingent. Not only are aircraft flowing through the Middle East at this rate towards Russia, but weapons of all kinds for ground forces are also following much the same route —from tanks to motor transport. The Duke in fact saw a section of one of the greatest supply routes in the world has been built up quietly by the three Allies. At aerodromes and assem bly points all along this route commum ties of all three nationalities have been set up. They are very largely selfcontained. Many Russian pilots have

brought their wives with them and have formed small colonies side by side with British and American. The Duke heard great praise of the courage and technical skill of the Russian pilots. The route over which they fly to Russia is not an easy one. It traverses forbidding mountainous ranges where low cloud or duststorms have , made flying perilous. To make a forced landing in some places is to come down among wild tribesmen of the most uncertain temperament.—B.O.W.