SINGAPORE BASE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21792, 5 May 1934, Page 11

SINGAPORE BASE

POWERFUL EQUIPMENT FLYING-BOATS AND BIG GUNS TORPEDOES FROM THE AIR [from our own correspondent] LONDON, MaroH 29 Increase of Royal Air Force strength at Singapore forms an essential part of plans for the equipment of the new naval base which, when completed, will bo the world's most formidable stronghold, protected by the heaviest artillery ever assembled in quantity at one point. The local air strength consists for the present in two torpedo-bomber squadrons and one squadron of flying boats. One of the torpedo-plane units flies Hawker "Horsley" craft, the other the newer Vickers "Vildebeest" machines. The flying-boats are supermarine "Southampton" biplanes, craft which are now obsolescent, though still capable of useful work on patrol.. Not yeb is the ultimate air strength at Singapore determined, but it may amount to at least six squadrons, perhaps more. One new unit which is likely to go there is the additional flying-boat, squadron for which provision is made in the Air Estimates for 1934-35. This unit, though it will be formed in home waters, is intended for duties overseas.' Singapore is expected to be its destination. Choice of Aircraft There is interest in the choice of aircraft indicated in the present equipment of the base—flying-boats for longdistance reconnaissance, torpedo-planes for attack on enemy warships while they are still some hundreds of miles away. Of the gravity of the threat of the air-launched torpedo to surface shipping there can be no doubt. Naval manoeuvres of the past few years have established it. . No fewer than six hits were recorded during an attack by a torpedo-plane squadron on one of Britain's greatest warships; the effect had the torpedoes been fitted with their war-heads instead of dummies can be easily realised. For defence the surface vessel has extremely efficient gun armament, though it has yet to be proved in the difficult conditions imposed by torpedo-plane attack in the midst of a big sea action, when the firing of the ship's broadsides and attention other enemies might affect the aim at the oncoming torpedobombers. There is another and perhaps even more effective form of aerial attack on the surface ship. Diving-bombing brings the assailant down almost vertically in a few seconds from a height of 12,000 ft. or more to, say, 3000 ft., at which height the missile—a bomb of 2501b. or 5001b. weights-is dropped. The accuracy of this method of aiming is amaz-» ing; its results certain to be devastating. > Diving-Bombing Technique Significance may be attached to the recent appointment to headquarters at Singapore of the Far East command, R.A.F., of Squadron-Leader R. A. George, formerly in command of No. 33 Squadron of the. Home Defencei Force, who has been engaged for the past two years in developing the new technique of diving-bombing. This method of bomb-launching is intended primarily for attack on naval vessels. The aeroplanes approach at a great height and dive at speeds of 300 miles an hour or more toward their target. At the bottom of the dive they begin, with the help of .the energy stored in the drop, a rapid climb back to a safe height. The whole operation Ijsts only a few seconds; the task it imposes on the ship's gunners is onerous indeed.