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increasingly evident that the strategical pendulum is swinging towards the Middle East. In fact, from the latest indications of Axis moves south- eastwards, we are justified in assuming that a most serious danger is already developing in the Middle Eastern theatre.

5. The Air Staff have made considerable progress already with their plans for reinforcing the Middle East, and had it been possible to carry out to time the programme of reinforcement which the Air Staff had set themselves, the strength of the Air Forces in the Middle East would have been substantially greater than it now is. There is, however, no easy way of rapid reinforcement of the Middle East by air. The air route via Malta is precarious and is liable not only to interference by the enemy, but to long periods of interruption through adverse weather. Although the route via Takoradi is now in operation, reinforcements by that route must take time. Moreover, any strengthening of the air force overseas is not only a matter of sending out aircraft and crews. Air reinforcements must always be supported by maintenance personnel and equipment which, in the main, has to be transferred by sea; and this means a time lag of about 3 months between a decision to despatch reinforcements and their establishment in the Middle East complete with their essential ground echelons.

6. Bearing these factors in mind, the Air Staff have reviewed the various means by which they can effect the most rapid reinforcement of the air force strength in the Middle East and Malta. They have reached the conclusion that there are two immediate methods by which the strength and efficiency of the forces can be increased.

Re-equipment.

7. The first and most immediate means of strengthening our air effort in the Middle East is to expedite the re-equipment of existing squadrons with modern and more powerful types. This in itself will add materially to our air strength in that theatre. A large programme of re-equipment to replace obsolete types of aircraft in the existing Squadrons has been prepared and is in progress. The first step is to accelerate this programme and the following are the detailed proposals:-

(i) 227 Mohawk fighters and 218 Glenn Martin bombers have been allocated to the R.A.F. in the Middle East and the S.A.A.F. for the re-equipment of fighter and bomber squadrons still on obsolete types. The Air Ministry. in conjunction with the Ministry of Aircraft Production, will make every effort to accelerate the delivery of these aircraft.

Note. Among the squadrons to be re-equipped with the Mohawks and Glenn Martins are the following South African squadrons :-

(a) Two Fighter Squadrons to be equipped with Mohawks. (One S.A.A.F. Squadron is already in process of re-equipment. with Hurricanes.)

(b) Three Bomber Squadrons to be re-equipped with Glenn

Martins.

In addition, there are four additional squadrons due to form in South Africa, for which the programme of equipment has yet to be decided. (ii) All possible steps will be taken to speed up the delivery direct from the United States of the unit ground equipment required to enable the squadrons due to be equipped with American types to operate. (iii) The two existing squadrons of Bomber Transport are being re-equipped as heavy bomber squadrons. The delivery of Wellingtons for this purpose will be accelerated as follows:

There are 10 Wellingtons in Middle East now, and 13 more are due to go out this month. It is proposed to arrange for 10 additional Wellingtons to be sent as soon as possible. These reinforcements will be sent as soon as possible and, when complete, they will provide for the full strength of two Wellington squadrons at 12 I.E., each with some reserve aircraft.

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