CO129-581-16 British propaganda in Hong Kong 18-4-1939 - 29-10-1939 — Page 86

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British borbers over France.

4

Not many years ago the sight of more than 100 British military

aeroplanes flying over Paris or other important French centres would

have been regarded with the greatest apprehension and alarm.

Recently such a flight was made and not an Englishman or a French-

man raised his voice in protest. Hore than that, it was welcomed

as another step in the defence preparations of the two countries.

The flight was actually arranged in agreement with the French Air

Ministry, and there is some talk of a return visit.

In effect, the advance of aeronautical engineering has made

Great Britain too small for the full exercise of bombing formations.

The longest direct home flights possible from the bomber aerodrones

in the English midlands are to the North of Scotland and back, a

distance of about 1,000 miles. Circular flights round Britain have

provided somewhat longer trips, but the longest practicable home

flight is far within the 3,200 miles range of, for example, the

Wellington bomber. Moreover, the value of training diminishes

when bomber crews fly over well-known territory; so flights over

France provided opportunity for navigation over unfamiliar courses.

The practice flights made by the machines were accomplished

in every case without mishap or misadventure. All the aircraft

concerned completed their courses and returned to their home

stations without intermediate landing. They gave a splendid display

of British air strength, and of the certainty, speed, and trust-

worthiness of British machines.