SINGAPORE BASE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23228, 23 December 1938, Page 8

SINGAPORE BASE

'PAR EAST FORTRESS DEFENCE OF "BACK DOOR" AIR FORCES IN MALAYA NEW LANDING FIELDS Cfrom our own correspondent] SINGAPORE, Dec. 6 Important strategic additions to Britain's Far Eastern defence pattern are planned for Malaya by the Royal Air Force. " This is in conformity with tho known plan of protecting the fortress of Singapore from "back-door" attack from north or east. The new preparations not onty exist on paper, but are within a ahort time of fulfilment. Although details cannot be divulged, it can bo said that in the near future air forces will be stationed permanently on the Malay Peninsula and other places where they can most effectively "close the back door" and at the same timo enjoy comparative security themselves. At part of the Empire's new creed of "rearm for peace," defence is thus taking another jump ahead of attack and strategists will bo impressed by the increasing strength of Singapore as a defensive base. Work is proceeding on the two new military landing fields on Singapore Island. The ore at Tengah, on the west side of the island, is practically ready for occupation by a squadron, and cood progress is being made with tho Sembawang landing field, not far from the air base at Seletar.