AIR SCREEN

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 24032, 1 August 1941, Page 8

AIR SCREEN

COAST OF AUSTRALIA NEW INVASION BUFFER A FORMIDABLE CHAIN MELBOUHNK. July :<t The establishment by Australia of a strung screen of defence and reconnaissance air bases as a butler against invasion was revealed by the .Minister of Air, .Mr. J. MeKwen. on his return with Sir Charles Burnett, Chief ol the Air Stall, from a comprehensive inspection of I {oval Australian Air Force advanced operational bases. The new stations included both hind and seaplane liases, Mr. MeKwen said. They represented the first line of Australian defence and made possible the maintenance ot intense and comprehensive reconnaissance of waters in which Australia had a vital interest. Comprehensive System While he could not indicate the location or extent of the chain ot bases, said the Minister, their establishment, was an important precautionary measure against the possibility of an unheralded entry of enemy forces into Australian waters. Aircraft operating trom these bases would make exceedingly hazardous any future operations ot enemy raiders seeking to interfere with Australian shipping. They made a comprehensive system, the piercing of which would present an enemy with a formidable task.

" Comforting Feeling " "I was very well satisfied to note the fast progress which had been made in translating the plan of establishing this chain of liases into actuality," Mr. .MeKwen added. "It will be a comforting feeling for Australians to know that we have already formed this strong and significant line of defence and reconnaissance bases."

It had alvvavs been recognised that aircraft suitable for long-range seaward reconnaissance were a very important section of the Hoyal Australian Air Force, as any threat to Australia must be sea-borne. With the now Catalitia aircraft, which could remain in the air more than 21 hours if necessary, Australia had an ideal type of aircraft for ocean reconnaissance. Powerful Land Aeroplanes Australian land aeroplanes were also ot a type able not only to conduct long patrols at sea, but also to strike powerful blows at ship targets. The addition oi long-range torpedo-carrying Beauforts now being made in Australia represented a tremendously important acquisition to the striking power of the I'oyal Australian Air Force. Mr. MeKwen s tour covered thousands of miles, and he travelled in civil aircraft, bombers and flying-boats. On no day was he in the air less than six hours, and one day's flying time was 12 hours.