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Scales of Defence.

10. Next, we examined the distribution of these garrison units to meet the most likely threat of attack. Our conclusions are set out in tabular form in Annex II. It will be noted that we have recommended the provision of the strongest garrisons at the Fighter aerodromes in East Anglia and South-East England, south of line Wash-Severn (Priorities I and II), and a slightly, but not very much, lower scale for the Fighter aerodromes in the area Wash-Birmingham- Newcastle Wash (Priority III) and for the "potential bridgehead" aerodromes in Priority V. For ease of reference a list of the Priorities already approved by the Chiefs of Staff is attached at Annex VI.

Man-Power.

11. Calculations based on the figures given in Annexes I and II produced an estimate of requirements in officers and men for the combatant units of an Aerodrome Defence Corps. We then examined the additions necessary to provide for supervisory and administrative staffs, training establishments and a Depot, and for meeting wastage and unforeseen requirements. Estimates under these particular heads had of necessity to be based to some extent on guess-work, but we feel that the figures given in para. 2 of Annex III are reasonably near the mark.

12. As a result of our review we estimate that the total man-power require- ments for an Aerodrome Defence Corps would not, on the 1st April, 1942, be in excess of the following:

Officers

Warrant Officers Other Ranks

Total

2,800

200

76,000

79,000

To meet this requirement there will be by the 1st April, 1942, approximately 66,000 R.A.F. Ground Defence personnel serving in Defence Squadrons and A.A. Flights. Moreover, in view of their anticipated commitments for new aerodromes under the existing scheme, the Air Ministry have already ear-marked for defence duties a proportion of the R.A.F. entry subsequent to the 1st April, 1942. It is probable that by certain adjustments to the R.A.F. expansion programme, the greater part of the balance of 13,000 required by that date could be found in time by the use of personnel entered for other duties, although compensation for this would have to be made subsequently.

13. It must be emphasised that the proposed scheme does not envisage a saving in the man-power required for aerodrome defence. Hitherto, we have discussed only the actual garrisons on aerodromes. Aerodrome defence also involves varying measures of support from troops outside the aerodrome. In our first Interim Report* we stressed the importance of disposing troops near vital fighter aerodromes, and our recommendation on this point was later approved by the Chiefs of Staff. Further,

Further, Instructions for the Defence of Aerodromes, which was approved by the Chiefs of Staff, lays down that, if possible, arrange- ments should exist for a force of up to one battalion to reach any aerodrome within one to two hours of a call for assistance, and also for a force equivalent to one brigade group, to stage a counter-attack if it becomes necessary to regain possession of any aerodrome. To perform these tasks the Commander-in-Chief. Home Forces, has relied in the past chiefly upon field force formations, whose primary rôle is that of Corps and Army Reserve. These troops do not count. against the ceiling allocated for aerodrome defence.

14. The reorganisation of the Army now in progress will result in the reduction of seventy infantry battalions for the defence of the United Kingdom below the number available in July 1941. This will reduce the number of infantry battalions in Corps and Army reserves to such an extent that the troops hitherto suitably disposed for the external support of aerodromes will, as a result, be, for the most part, no longer there. Meanwhile, the number of aerodromes will have increased from approximately 460 in July 1941 to 590 in April 1942, and will continue to increase thereafter.

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* C.O.S. (41) 360.

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