AIR POWER

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24254, 23 March 1940, Page 11

AIR POWER

ALLIED PLANES PROGRESS IN BRITAIN NEW TYPES DEVELOPED EQUIPPED WITH CANNON (British Official Wireless) I United Press Association) (By Slectric Telegraph—Copyrigh ) RUGBY, Mar. 21. (Received Mar. 22, at 7 p.m.) The Parliamentary Under-secre-tary for Air, Captain H. H. Balfour, in a speech at Margate, said the possibility of a tip-and-run raid by enemy aircraft under the cloak of darkness must be faced, but the successful and telling raid of Tuesday night at Sylt showed that the lion had teeth as well as wings. Referring to the progress in building up such an Air Force as would ensure mastery of the air, Captain Balfour recalled Sir Kingsley Wood's estimate that the output of aircraft accruing to this country and to

France was greater than the output in* Germany. The weekly rate of output since the outbreak of war had shown a steady numerical increase, while all who had any knowledge of the Royal Air Force equipment knew that the effective increase—that is to say growth of the fighting strength of the force —had never been greater. "More to Come"

The quality of the British aircraft, added Captain Balfour, " is splendid, but there is yet more to come as new types now under development enter service. No doubt the enemy would very much like to know the speed and armament of the new products, and this in due course they shall know from practical experience when they meet our pilots, and to their cost. We are in the lead with modern devices that are of assistance in air warfare, and we intend to keep this so. You have perhaos read something about German aircraft being armed with cannon, while we have only got machine guns. I can tell you this is not so and that not only are our cannon in full production in this country, but our fighters equipoed with them have already contributed to the destruction of some enemy machines."

SILENT APPROACH RAIDS ON ENGLAND TWO GLIDES FROM HEIGHT TEST USE OF VEREY LIGHTS ROTTERDAM. Mar. 12. Reports of mysterious lighted spheres having been seen in Holland's skies at night suggest that German bombers are practising a method of silent approach to England. The manoeuvre was successful in the Spanish war, when bombers with silent engines volplaned from extreme altitudes to their objectives. To reach England unheard, the Germans must make two glides, each starting at a height of at least 30,000 feet. Apparently German agents in Holland are sending up Verey lights to indicate where to begin the climb for the second glide, for it is essential for pilots to know the exact position from which to start the glide. Present Lights Experimental The lights were first seen on January 3. The authorities investigated, and on January 28 arrested a Belgian who was carrying a Verey pistol, and who stated that a German had paid him £7 to fire lights at given times. He said he did not know the purpose of the arrangement. Since then floating spheres have been visible almost nightly over different parts of Holland. Simultaneously, aeroplanes, whose approach had not been picked up by sound detectors, have been heard above. It is considered that the present lights are experimental. It is suggested that, when raids are contemplated, the lights will be fired from some place very close to England—such as the Hook of Holland.

Night Attacks on Britain The Dutch police have also launched a country-wide round-up of spies, in an investigation of reports from eight villages, in the vicinity of Tilburg. suggesting that powerful searchlights are being employed to convey messages to Germany to assist airmen. These are reported to be associated with the firing of the Verey lights. One of the men arrested is said to have admitted that Germany is planning extensive night raids on Britain.