BOMBING MENACE

Waipukurau Press, Volume XXII, Issue 249, 20 August 1928, Page 5

BOMBING MENACE

BRITAIN’S DEFENCE INADEQUATE FOR HOSTILE FORCE. By Telegraph —Copyright —Press Assn, LONDON, August IS. Britain appears to be faced with, the fact that had the mimic air warfare been real at least half London would bo in ruins and the area across the Thames gas-logged with poisonous fumes, whence they would be dispersed by a south-westerly wind in crowded areas, bringing death- and desolation. The evidence suggests that mass dugouts should be devised in West End squares, useable as motor garages in peace time.

It is generally estimated that 50 percent of the bombers penetrated the defences, and that 200 tons of bombs were dropped, equivalent to only a little less than the whole dropped by German air forces during the entire Avar. Experts emphasise that the destruction "would have been more terrific had not the dice been loaded against the raiders, who were forced to use large and slow bombers, heavily weighted, whereas an attacking enemy would prefer fast-flying light machines. The Earl of Halsbury, who at the time of the armistice was in charge of plans for the bombardment of Germany, deliberately warns the nation that it is in deadly peril. While Europe is building colossal air Armadas, England is content with a few squadrons of mostly antiquated machines. We are practically disarmed in the air and at the mercy of any hostile force.