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22. As regards 75-mm. field guns, we suggest that, at 80 of the most important and vulnerable aerodromes, a section (2 guns) should be substituted for one of the three sections of Smith guns which have been allowed in the proposed establishment of a standard squadron, thereby considerably strengthening the fire-power of the defence and increasing the anti-tank protection. We under- stand that the War Office are examining this proposal vis-à-vis the requirements of field artillery by Allies and friendly neutrals. It is probable, however, that 100 75-mm. field guns can be made available for the defence of aerodromes by the 1st January, 1942, and a further 60 by the Spring of 1942. These weapons could be manned and maintained by personnel of the Corps, given facilities for proper training, and we are informed that the War Office can supply the necessary training facilities.

23. The position with regard to light A.F.V's is not satisfactory at present and, as a fundamental feature of the Air Ministry's proposals for the formation of a specialised Aerodrome Defence Corps is increased mobility and fire-power, we regard the provision of an appropriate number of light armoured fighting vehicles as an essential requirement. To meet the needs of the Corps itself, excluding requirements for "backers-up " on low priority aerodromes, 1,525 A.F.V's would be required. The Air Ministry have 1,000 Mark III Beaverettes on order, but only a few of these have so far been produced. We consider that the delivery of these vehicles should be accelerated as much as possible. An additional number will also be required.

Training Requirements.

24. Both the initial and advance training of the personnel of the Corps can for the most part be carried out at training schools. Four of these, viz., two Initial Training Centres, an Officer Cadet Training Centre, and a Gunnery School, are already in being, and have a capacity adequate to cope with the full intake likely to be required up to the 1st April, 1942. Moreover, the War Office are prepared to leave the instructional staff at these centres until the end of March 1942, after which time the initial training requirement would be much reduced, and could probably be largely undertaken by instructors drawn from the Corps itself.

25. One further requirement should be mentioned, although not entirely related to training. At those aerodromes which are not allotted a full squadron of the Corps, and which would have to depend very largely upon their ordinary station personnel for defence in an emergency, a Local Defence Commander would be necessary to supervise and co-ordinate the defence arrangements and training generally, including liaison with the local military authorities and the Commanders of reinforcing troops, so as to relieve the Station Commander of much of this task. We estimate that approximately 200 would be required, but as considerably over 200 Lt.-Colonels and Majors are already employed on aero- dromes in this capacity, it should be possible to meet the need without difficulty.

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Backers-up."

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26. "Backers-up already form an integral part of our aerodrome defences, but the introduction of an Aerodrome Defence Corps on the lines contemplated would increase their importance and necessitate an acceleration of their training programme. We would emphasise that the new system of defence could not be effectively applied to any aerodrome until 50 per cent. of the "Backers-up

on that aerodrome were trained and armed. This requirement is likely to be met, vide paragraph 29.

27. As a general rule, N.C.O's of the R.A.F. station personnel, ie., the potential instructors for the "Backers-up

Backers-up" cannot be spared for courses away from their stations. Consequently, by far the greater part of their training will have to be carried out at aerodromes. We estimate that for this purpose, 2 staff sergeant instructors per station will be required. In our suggested squadron establishment, we have included these, and we consider that they should be enrolled as permanent members of the Corps. Approximately 350 will be required for this purpose, plus, say, another 50 for the instructional staffs at the Depot and training schools. These 400 N.C.O's will have to come from the Army, and the War Office is prepared to call for voluntary transfers to the R.A.F. or,

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