AIR MANOEUVRES.

Waikato Times, Volume 104, Issue 17485, 20 August 1928, Page 7

AIR MANOEUVRES.

LESSONS OF THE ATTACK. LONDON’S PERIL DEMONSTRATED. LORD HALSBURY’S WARNING. (By Telegrapn—Press Assn. —Copyright.) (Australian Press Association). LONDON, August 18. Britain appears to be faced with the fact that had the mimic air warfare been reai, at least half of London would have been in ruins, and the area across the Thames gas-logged by poisonous fumes, whence it would have been dispersed by the south-westerly wind into the crowded areas, bringing death and desolation. The evidence suggests that mass dug-outs should he devised in the West End squares, which could be used as motor garages in peace time. It is generally estimated that 50 per cent, of, the bombers penetrated defences, and that 200 tons of bombs were dropped, equivalent to only a little less that the whole dropped by the German air forces during the entire war. Dice Loaded Against Raiders. The 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, slow, night bombers, which were heavily weighted, whereas an attacking enemy would prefer fast-llying 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, Britain is content with a few squadrons, mostly of antiqualed machines. Britain is, he says, practically disarmed in the air and is at the mercy of any hostile force. The Earl describes the air manoeuvres as a farce. They are carried out at night at a height of 20,000 ft. What enemy, lie asks, would drop bombs from such a height when he could attack by day, and swoop down to 100 ft. and drop bombs with safety? Everyone in the world is aware that bombers are safest when near the ground, says the Earl, where anti-air-craft guns could not he trained. He ad(ls, “ When I was in France recently aeroplanes were skimming the roofs of houses. No scout would dare to dive on a bomber that w : as only iooft. from the ground. The first gas attack at Ypres cost us 5000 soldiers. What will he the effect of an attack on .the civilians in London with gas 100 limes more powerful? Lord Halsbury recently pointed out the latest arsenical poison gas would suffice to wipe out Central London. Brigadier-General P. R. G. Groves, who was formerly Director of Flying Operations, says that in the event of war each country will instantly despatch a licet of bombers to the enemy’s vital centres. It will be the aim of each side to terrorise civilians. London's vital points would soon be in ruins, and gas would render the other parts uninhabitable. Attack the Best Defence. Local defence in air warfare can only he a palliative, he says, and the only effective method of defence is a counter-attack. The Daily Herald, the Labour daily, satirically asks whether civilians should not be drilled In the sudden donning of respirators at five minutes’ notice, and tearing them off. Would not it he better if they were instructed in rendering first-aid, to the gassed and in giving rapid hygienic interment to thousands of dead? Major G. ft. Turner, late of the Royal Air Force, a well- known expert on aeronautics, writing in the Daily telegraph, says a force beyond practicable numbers would he necessary, not merely to account for every raider hut merely to keep out a very few. A city such as London would need hundreds of squadrons. He suggests that civilians should be drilled in the part to he I layed by them. Air warfare is different from any other. Ail persons must share in it. Peace is more likely to he preserved, ho says, in this manner than by neglect. Official Communique. An official communique says the air manoeuvres comprised 57 daylight raids, nine of which completely evaded the defence. Clouds and strong winds favoured the attackers. The day bombers were attacked 39 times when coming in and 37 times when returning. A large percentage of the night-flying bombers were intercepted as liie weather favoured Lhe defenders. The fighters brought down 151 bombers, the anti-aircraft guns accounted for 20, and 139 fighters were lost. Air Vice-Marshal F. R. Scarlett says ‘he is satisfied with Lire efficiency of aib units. The aircraft flew 250,000 miles, and the only mishap involving injury was that a pilot’s nose was slightly hurt when a fighter overturned. The bombers could have carried a total of 202 tons of bombs, not deducting Lire weight of the bombers that were adjudged to have been shot down before reaching their objectives. The interception of bombers by Lhe fighters was much improved since last year, as was also the standard of pilotage. 'Flic use of clouds and also the searchlight work were invaluable. The exercises were not intended to test the efficiency of London’s defences hut the operational cillcicncy of the individual units.