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Aviation History
1926
1926 - 0962.PDF
DECEMBER 9, 1926 AIRCRAFT AND IMPERIAL DEFENCE Speeches at the Imperial Conference THE texts of the speeches on the subject of ImperialDefence, made by Mr. Baldwin (On October 26) and the visiting Dominion Prime Ministers (On November 15), werepublished on December 2. We give below extracts from these •speeches in so far as they concern the part played by aircraft. Mr. Baldwin, in dealing with the subject of aircraft inImperial Defence, referred to the danger to which this country, especially London, would be exposed in certain contingenciesfrom air attack. He was, he said, glad to report that we were less anxious on this matter than we were in 1923. Neverthe-less, as the countering or mitigation of such attacks was very difficult and required immense organization, in addition to theestablishment and development of the Home Defence Air Force, we had been conducting a continuous investigationinto the precautions of all kinds to be taken in the event of air raids, on which we had made considerable progress. Wehad also an Expert Committee inquiring into the question •of anti-aircraft research. In addition, we had worked out ascheme of insurance against aircraft and bombardment risks in the light of war experience. Mr. Mackenzie King, Prime Minister of Canada, who statedduring the course of his speech tht the Canadian Government had, in 1922, decided to organise one department to contain thethree Services and deal with all questions of Defence—said, in reference to aircraft, that before and during the Great WarCanada had no Air Force of her own, although 10,000 Canadians served in the Aerial Forces of Great Britain in thewar against Germany. Soon after the Armistice, in 1919, the organisation of a Canadian Air Force was commenced, andhad proceeded gradually, and on April 1, 1923, the Royal Canadian Air Force was established on a regular militarybasis. The organization and training of this Force had followed closely that of the Royal Air Force, and very sub-stantial progress had been made. Two training centres and six stations (three temporary, during the summer months)had been established in various parts of the country, so as to carry out the several duties of the Royal Canadian Air Force. The Royal Canadian Air Force had made commendableadvances in the civil side of its work. As he mentioned at a previous session of the Conlerence, immense areas wure beingsurveyed annually, and millions of acres of valuable forest land protected. The work on the civil side was of such a nature thatit provided practical training for the Air Force personnel. Civil aviation had a direct relation to the creation of a Military-Air Force, and served to create a reserve thereto. By the Air Force Regulations an individual who obtained a pilot'scertificate automatically became a Reservist. The Prime Minister of the Commonwealth of Australia,Mr. Bruce, stated that the ordinary expenditure for the maintenance of Australia's local Defence Force—Navy, Army,and Air—now amounted to approximately ^5,000,000 per annum, in addition to £"5,000,000, spread over a period offive years, for development. As regards Air Force development, the additional moneywhich came out of the ^1,000,000 special expenditure was for building and works generally, to provide additional personneland equipment, and the training of the additional personnel for the establishment of new squadrons to be formed nextyear. Civil aviation, which linked with military aviation through the necessity of providing air bases, landing grounds,and'other requirements throughout the whole of the Continent, was being dealt with by air route subsidies. In addition, theywere doing a great deal of work in connection with the pre- paration of landing grounds and other requirements, and alsothe establishment of aeroplane clubs. In addition to the /5,000,000 for development, specialappropriations had been made since July 1, 1924, included in which, amongst other items, was a sum for the surveyof the Great Barrier Reef, and ^250,000 for the purchase of aircraft equipment, provision of Air Force accommodation,etc. Mr. Bruce also pointed out that close co-operation existedbetween the Home and Australian services, Australian liaison officers being attached to the Admiralty, War Office andAir Ministry. The Royal Australian Air Force during the current yearwould attain a strength of 1,200 officers and men. It was organised on precisely similar lines to the Royal Air Force,and its development would eventually provide for the necessary co-operation squadrons for the Fleet and for theArmy, fighter, bombing, and reconnaissance squadrons, besides the ordinary training schools and experimental institutions. The air training policy followed that of the Royal AirForce. Pilots for the permanent, short service, and Citizen Force were given the full flying course at the Flying School.Co-operation exercises were carried out with naval units as and when required. A flight of flying-boats was at presentengaged in the naval hydrographic survey of the Great Barrier Reef. Army co-operation was provided at theannual training camps of artillery and infantry units, and from time to time when opportunity asose. In additionto the ordinary peace training, the Air Force carried out a considerable amount of survey and photographic workfor the Navy, Army, Government and Municipal Departments. No attempt had been made so far to operate air routes forcivil purposes with Service units. As arranged at the last Imperial Conference, an exchange of officers was institutedand was now in operation. Officers of the Australian Air Force were sent to England to the Air Staff College and otherestablishments. This year there were six officers under instruction in this country. The Commonwealth Government had approved of theformation of aeroplane clubs, with the object of building up a reserve of pilots and airmen and to encourage aviationin Australia generally. Several clubs were in operation, and others were under consideration. Mr. Bruce also referred to the survey flight to the SouthPacific Islands. Orders were being placed for new aircraft and engines, and the whole of their service air units wouldbe re-equipped with the most modern types in the course of the next three years. Their Air Experimental Sectionhad undertaken the manufacture of aircraft on a limited scale, and several firms had engaged in re-conditioningaircraft, engines, and minor spare parts. Two civil aircraft firms were engaged in the local assembly of aircraft fromparts which had been imported. There was every indication that local firms had gained sufficient experience to be in aposition to commence manufacture of aircraft as soon as there were sufficient orders to justify the outlay requiredto undertake the work. Landing grounds were being estab- lished on strategical air routes, in addition to those preparedfor civil aviation purposes. There were 134 aerodromes and landing grounds already acquired and maintained. Mr. Coates, Prime Minister of New Zealand, who agreedthat the importance of the air arm was definite, said, concerning air policy, that New Zealand was anxious to continue herdevelopment on lines which were co-operative with Great Britain and possibly with Australia, but any commercialdevelopment which they might be able to effect must of necessity be slow, and with due regard to what tookplace in other parts of the Empire, as they were at the end of a long line and over 1,000 miles of stormy weather andsea separated their centres of population from Australian cities. Regarding development of the fighting Air Service, he feltthat their geographical position to a great extent governed their policy, though co-operation by the Air arm with theMilitary and Naval Forces of the Dominion, both for local defences or overseas expeditionary work, was always kepdin view. Mr. Havenga, on behalf of the Union of South Africa,Stated it was their air and land forces which, from the South African standpoint, were most important to them to-day,and, in case of a war in which the Union was participating, it was with these that they should be able to render mosteffective assistance. Their policy was to maintain an Air Force in South Africa primarily for internal security, readyto act instantly, as a striking force and to hold and restrict any serious disturbance of the peace during the period thatthe Citizen Forces of the country were being mobilized and brought into action. It was concentrated at Pretoria, andits mobility was ensured by aerodromes and landing grounds throughout South Africa. One squadron could operate atany point in the Union within one day. It was organized and trained on the same lines as the Royal Air Force, thusensuring easy co-operation with the rest of the Air Forces of the Empire. In connection with the demonstration flights from Cairoto Cape Town, to which reference was made in the Committee of Imperial Air Communications, their advisers had workedout with the Air Ministry most of the details of the flights and 818
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