AIR DEFENCE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23131, 1 September 1938, Page 13

AIR DEFENCE

AUSTRALIAN PLANS GENERAL APPROVAL SIR EDWARD ELLINGTON A VOLUNTEER FORCE CREATION SUGGESTED By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright (Received September 1, 1 -.3 a.m.) CANBERRA, August 31

General approval of the air defence development programme laid down early this year by the Commonwealth Government is expressed by Air Marshal Sir Edward Ellington, Inspector-General of the Royal Air Force, whose report on the Australian Air Force was made available to-night. Sir Edward Ellington emphasised the need for improved training standards within the Australian Ah- Eorce and greater co-operation with civil and commercial aviation for defence purposes. He pointed out that the civil aviation routes now being established, properly equipped for tlioir efficient working, would ensure that the Air Force could roach all parts of Australia rapidly and fulfil all strategic purposes. Need lor Quick Concentration

"What is required," said Sir Edward, "is an Air Force fully trained and organised for mobility and familiar with all necessary routes, and also bases which will enable an adequate force to lie concentrated to meet any threat to the wide expanses of Australian territory."

Dealing with the selection of aircraft types, the report emphasised the importance of "übiquity of purpose" rather than specialisation.

Tito investigation revealed that all service squadrons were below strength. Sir Edward recommended that the enlargement of training organisation should take precedence over the formation of new units, while the training of pilots at Point Cook, Victoria, should be extended to include such instruction as is given in the advanced training squadrons of the British flying schools, together with a course in air navigation of at least 10 weeks.

The report emphasised the need for the improvement of flying discipline, since a proportion of the accidents in Australia were due to disobedience and lack of flying discipline. Lack of Flying Discipline

Nevertheless, Sir Edward was impressed with the high quality of both officers and men entering the Air Force. It was essential that the conditions for permanent officers should be improved.

Sir Edward recommended that efforts should bo made to get flying clubs or civil transport companies to contract to train young men as pilots, both for reserve and service, and also as a preliminary to a flying school course. He approved the idea that Air Force and civilian pilots should exchange for short periods. Further, Sir Edward advised the formation of a Volunteer Air Force on the lines of that recently inaugurated in England. The Prime Minister, Mr. Lyons, announced that the Government had adopted Sir Edward Ellington's report.