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THE CHINA MAIL, MAY 9, 1940.
COMMONS DEBATE
SIR SAMUEL HOARE ON WORK OF THE AIR FORCE
London, To-day. THE SECRETARY for AIR, Sir Samuel Hoare, speaking in the Commons debate, said he pro- posed to concentrate upon the events of the last month and the part taken in those operations by the R.A.F.
The Germans were in control of all strategical aero- dromes in central and southern Norway. That was a critical fact which must never be forgotten when they considered the military operations that subsequently took place.
It meant from the very outset the in the neighbourhood of the R.A.F. was suffering under a handi-lake. cap, as their machines had to fly
Sinking Of Ships
hundreds of miles backwards and Sir Samuel Hoare replied: "I forwards across the North Sea, while the enemy had air bases on the spot. "Our task was to win a foothold
*
in Norway for our fighters and during the time that attempts were being made we did everything in our power to reduce the scale of the air attack that was being launch- ed on our sea bases.·
we
"I can say categorically that there was no delay in starting these-opera- tions. Immediately after the entry of the Germans into Norway made air reconnaissances and within a comparatively few hours we started a series of intensive bombing attacks, not only on aerodromes in Norway but on key aerodromes in Denmark and on one of the key aerodromes in Germany.
Intensive Attacks. "From that day onwards, day after the day and night after night, in face of terrible weather conditions, we maintained these intensive attacks upon those key points..
"I can claim that the effort of the R.A.F. had very definite marked results. We were able first of all very materially to reduce the scale of air attack, upon our bases and troops.
frozen
am
sorry to say there were not. The ar- rangements for anti-aircraft guns were upset by the sinking of ships, and
it was a question of whether to hurry on the squadron or to wait for some further days for anti-aircraft guns.
"On the whole we took a decl- sion to send aeroplanes to engage the German bombers`at once."! Sir Samuel added that the effect
of the German bombing was that the greater part of the British ma- chines were put out of action on the ground. Not one was brought down
in the air,
The cardinal factor was the lack
of air bases. British public opinion
would not have stood for inaction, and it was inevitable they should take a risk, which was realised from the start.
air Everything possible without bases was done.
Two Lessons
ì
Two lessons had been learnt from the operations in Norway. --- Firstly, the superiority of the Bri- tish fighter over the German bomber, but
strong air power must be met by stronger air power.
Secondly, the power of the British night. air striking force night after air force three times the losses they insurpassed but the quantity was not The quality of this force was un- flicted on us. (Government cheers). nearly big enough,
"We inflicted on the German
That is a claim based on evidence"!
Sir Samuel praised the RAF. men and said that in quality they were, a match against any enemy, and on rea- sonably equal terms would take a very heavy toll.
He told how with the first. troops, reconnaissance parties were sent to Aandalsnes to search for a plece of level ground that could be used as a landing place.
Landing Place
---The momentum of production was now. gathering speed. "It is much better than it ever has been and there is no reason why it should not become better."
Samuel
Narvik Area Answering questions, Sir said he knew of no German aero- dromes in the Narvik area and such seemed extremely unlikely.
The German air force, he con- tinued, was not invincible. Air The only level ground in the neigh-power, be it German or any other bourhood consisted of frozen lakes air power, was only invincible when and at the moment. the thaw was there was not sufficient air power beginning. Only one suitable land- against it. ing place was found and the surface was swept clear of snow to form runways. The necessary stores of munitions and petrol were provided | and in less than a week it, was ready to receive aircraft.
A squadron of Gloucester Gladia- tors which had already been. 'em-' barked on an aircraft carrier, were flown off the ship 180 miles from ∙land in a thick snowstorm. “
At: seven in the evening they land- ed on the lake and at 10 that night the first patrol was in the air.
37 Air Combats
But the next day eight German bombers took part in an attack on the lake. This attack was continuous for 16 hours Tons of high explosiven fell from the bombers during that period and there were 37 combats..
Blx German machines brought down close to the lake and it was certain that another malaht were brought down" "in" "the hear vicinity, repai
‚were-
•
In this case the Allles had no fighter force, to cope with the Gor- man bombers. Where they had fighters available they had always shown how well they could cope. with the German bombers, ⠀
The history of the past eight months the had shown the superiority. of British fighter 'over the German bomber-Reuter.
BEDOUIN CAVALRY IN EGYPT
Cairo, To-day.
It is disclosed that the Egyptian Arab Legion, the first Bedouin cavalry army in Egypt, which is distributed among the western desert oases, is now ready for service.
The Legion, which is armed with rifles, daggers and grenades and of- ficcred by Bedouin, has been organised to wage guerilla warfare.-Reuter,
ITALY LAUNCHING A NEW BATTLESHIP”
Paris, To-day.
The squadron leader and night lleutenant thought that no less than 80 Nazi machines were put out of action in the course of the opera→ Italy's fourth 35,000-fon battleship, tions. C
Roma, is shortly to be launched at Mr. Hugh Dalton (Labour) asked Genoa, according to telegram froi If there were any anti-aircraft guns | Rome. 'Reuter.
THE CHINA MAIL, MAY 9, 1940.