IMPORTANCE OF AIR WAR

Timaru Herald, Volume CLIV, Issue 22739, 13 November 1943, Page 5

IMPORTANCE OF AIR WAR

Exhibition in London N.Z.P.A, Special Correspondent LONDON. Nov. 10. The importance of the air war in all its iorms in the war against the Japanese was emphasised by MajorGeneral F. A. M. Browning when discussing the work of the airborne divisions. ‘We do not want a prolonged war in the Far East, groaning through the jungle against the Japanese mile after mile all the way to Tokio. That is not the way to fight the Japanese,” he said. The question of supply from the air would be formidable. He also referred to parachutists who were in training in India, including Indian troops and Gurkhas. Major-General Browning was speakat the exhibition at the Ministry of Supply of the equipment of the airborne division. He admitted that the British Armv had been late in the day in starting airborne divisions, and even after the change of policy from defensive to offensive war the rate of progress was necessarily slow because the airborne forces’ requests for equipment came on top of the already heavy demands of the Army, but now the new equipment was ‘‘pretty highclass stuff.” it had to be borne in mind that those directing the airborne forces have to think at least four or five years ahead when designing and ordering new equipment. Airborne troops' part in the invasion of Sicily was a “complete success.” Major-General Browning was introduced by Mr Duncan Sandys. .Joint Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Supply <who told the correspondent: I regard myself as half a New Zealander, as my mother was a New Zealander.”) Mr Sandys said that neither thought nor effort were spared in equipping the airborne divisions. The exhibition included Jeeps. 75 millimetre howitzers, three-inch and two-inch mortars, Bren guns, anti - tank rifles. Sten guns, bayonets, radio sets, wireless and telegraph power unit, folding motor-cycle, scaling ladder and dehyrated rations. The Jeep is a five cwt., four-wheeler which not. only carries troops but also tows a howitzer. Major-General Browning remarked that if one Jeep was not sufficient two or three could be strung on for towing. I'he Howitzer used by airborne troops i» oi th»* field type modified to meet (heir requirements. It measures 145 inches from muzzle to tip, and ran lire a 14Jib. high explosive shell more (han 5600 yards. Its rate of fire is two to six rounds a minute. The gun’s total weight is 14871 b. It can be broken into six packs of about 25Dlbs each for transport, it, can quickly be reassembled after being dropped by parachute.