FIGHTER AEROPLANES

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23200, 21 November 1938, Page 12

FIGHTER AEROPLANES

STRATEGY OF BRITAIN EXPLANATION BY MINISTER NOT PURELY DEFENSIVE (Received November 20, 5.5 p.m.) British Wireless RUGBY, Nov. 10 Suggestions that the Government's proposals to increase the fighter strength of the Royal Air Forco meant a reversal of policy and a falling back on purely defensive strategy, were discussed in a speech by the Air Minister, Sir Kingsley Wood. "It is perhaps tlio case that there has been in the past a tendency to overstate the argument that a bomber will always get through and also to lay undue stress on the claim that counteroffensive is the only effective moans of defence in the air," said Sir Kingsley "Wood. "Developments in recent years have undoubtedly tended to reduce tho supremacy of the offensive and*add to the actual strength of the defensive in the air, and we have naturally adapted our tactical and strategical policy in -fche light of, recent developments in technique and modern warfare; but that does not mean for one moment that tho timo has arrived when we can contemplate relying for air defence exclusively on our fighter aircraft and our ground defences. Counter-offensive remains and must remain an essential component of our defence."