AIR DEFENCE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 24009, 5 July 1941, Page 13

AIR DEFENCE

TORPEDO CABBIEBS NAVAL LEADER'S VIEWS ACTION AGAINST RAIDERS ' Some of the problems involved in the defence of New Zealand were discussed by Vice-Admiral Sir Guy Rovle, C.8., C.M.G., R.N., who returned to Auckland yesterday from Rotorua. Since his arrival in New Zealand less than a fortnight ago, Sir Guy, who was formerly Fifth Sea Lord in command of the Fleet Air Arm, has been advising the New Zealand Government and the Navy Board in conferences at Wellington. He is on his way to Australia to assume the position of first naval member of the Commonwealth Naval Board. The need for New Zealand aerodromes to be equipped with torpedo carriers for action against surface raiders was stressed. Land based aircraft of this type as well as fighters had shown themselves to be more valuable than those on aircraft carriers in certain circumstances, continued Sir Guy, who is an authority on aircraft carriers. He expressed his firm belief in the value of aircraft for ocean patrol work. The Admiralty estimated, on the basis of the area covered in a day's flying, that they were 14 times more effective than cruisers. This was one of the chief services performed by the Fleet Air Arm during the war. One of the problems of aircraft carriers was the proportion of torpedocarrying aeroplanes to fighters to be carried, but this did not arise in the case of land bases. There were also certain disadvantages inseparable from the construction of aeroplanes used on aircraft carriers.

At the same time. Sir Guy pointed out a difficulty of training men tor tor-pedo-carrying aeroplanes in New Zealand. This class of aircraft was particularly successful in the right conditions, but skill in torpedo fighting was gained only after long experience. Sir Guy, who is accompanied by Lady Royle, is at the Grand Hotel.