DEFENCE OF LONDON

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22779, 15 January 1936, Page 3

DEFENCE OF LONDON

NEW EXERCISE RECORD

(From Our Own Correspondent) (By Air Mail.) LONDON, December 14. More hours were flown by the Royal Air Force aeroplanes engaged in this year’s air defence Exercise than in thatof any previous year. Official statistics show that in th e course of -those days and night« of intensive mimic warfare last July flying hours aggregated 38394, an increase of 37 per cent, over hours recorded in 1934. At a conservative esti-. rfiate the war planes covered nearly 500.000 miles between the start and finish of the operations. The primary object of the Exercise was to test sections of London’s air defence. By day and by night attacks were launched on the chosen objectives from great heights. At least 10,000 feet was the level scheduled for incoming raiders whenever the weather conditions were suitable. Heavy bombers frequently flew over their targets at heights of more than 16.000 feet. One big aerial combat, between “enemy” light bombers and defending fighters, took place nearly 21,000 feet above sea level. During one night phase no fewer than 16 raids were launched from a height of more than 16.000 feet. At the end of the Exercise, Air Chief Marsha! Sir Robert BrookePopham was able to state that the operations had been the most realistic in which the Observer Corps—essential part of ground defensive organisation against aerial attack —had participated. Much of the living was done by night. The official figures record 772 hours as flown by night. . In all of that flying, done in conditions resembling as closely as possible the conditions of active service, not one man wag injured, repeating for the sixth year the notable achievement of previous air defence Exercises. The only forced landing of any consequence involved an obsolete twin-engined heavy bomber of a type which is unlikely to take part in any future Exercise. Here is the highest possible tribute not only to the skill and training of R.A.F. personnel, but also to the trustworthiness of their aeroplanes and engines. This year's record brings the aggregate of hours flown in these Exercises during the past six years uj> to 16.950. The equivalent in distance flown is approximately 2.250.000 miles —all without a serious accident.