CO129-498-13 Recommendations to strengthen defences against overseas attack- practicability of Air Ministry proposals and estimate of... 18-2-1926 - 18-2-1926 — Page 6

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questions regarding the Treaty (Washington) do # not arise.

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The establishment of a base for seaplanes

at Hongkong presents fewer difficulties than

forming a landplane base. Since, however, the only justification for forming a base at all

would be to resist Air aggression from the Mainland, whatever aircraft were provided must

possess the capacity to oppose with success

not merely the few inefficient aircraft at

Canton, but high-class modern machines flown

by skilled foreign pilots.

It is not the policy of the Air Staff

to utilise seaplanes for action of this nature,

since though they have undoubtedly a certain

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capacity for offence and defence, they are

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inferior in this respect to landplanes of a corresponding class.

The establishment of a Volunteer Air

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Unit, which might perhaps combine defence,

com-

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mercial and police functions is a question

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which falls under a different category to that

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of forming a Service Air Base. It is intended

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shortly to review the strength and provision

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of local Defence Forces for all British Colonies with a view to making recommendations to Colonial Governments. Until this enquiry is completed, the Air Staff are not in a position

to state positive views as to the formation of

a local Air Unit at Hongkong.

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The development of a commercial Air Base cannot be classified with any measures undertaken