GERMANY’S AIR STRENGTH

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXVII, Issue 19805, 22 May 1934, Page 9

GERMANY’S AIR STRENGTH

REVEALED IN PRESS STATEMENT

BRITAIN’S ADDITIONS TO AIR FORCE United Press Association—By Electric Tel egraph—Copyright LONDON, May 20. The “Daily Express” publishes an air mail article dispatched by Mr Pembroke Stephens, just prior to his arrest, in which he describes the largest aerodrome in Germany, und probably in Europe, situated at Celle, a few miles from the civil aerodrome, in Hanover. “There is therefore no commercial justification for a new airport, which is designed purely for military purposes. It is surrounded by woods, and is invisible from the road or rail. Not even stormtroopers are admitted. Three huge hangars have been completed, and workmen are busy constructing barracks for pilots and mechanics. Excavations are being made for subterranean bomb proof shelters, for both ’planes and personnel. There are huge petrol containers, painted camouflaged grey and green, mounted on mechanised waggons. Germany has now no visible military air fleet, but it really exists, scattered throughout Germany—engines in one factory, wings in another, bodies elsewhere, awaiting there power and authority op the breakdown of the Disarmament Conference, for immediate assembly. Quantities of American and British engines are being imported.”

BRITAIN’S AIR DEFENCE.

INCREASE IN FIGHTING STRENGTH. United Press Association—By Electrlo Telegraph—Copyright LONDON, May 20. “The Sunday Chronicle” declares that the Air Ministry contemplates Increasing the Air Force by 100 bombers and 400 interceptor fighters. It wants aerodromes alongside each large port and naval base, and also near big chemical and steel centres. The political correspondent of "The Sunday Graphic” says: “The Air Ministry has completed plans for three new military aerodromes, also to enlarge existing dromes to accommodate more squadrons as part of the preparations which Mr Baldwin foreshadowed in the House of Commons.

AIR DEFENCE OF AUSTRALIA

INCREASED CRAFT RECOMMENDED United Press Association—By Electric Tie-rr.ph—Copyright (Received May 22, 6.30 p.m.) MELBOURNE, May 21. The Departmental Committee recommends the Federal Government that two armed flying boats be stationed at Darwin and Raboul, supplemented by fast launches to patrol Northern Australia and the mandated territory.