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Aviation History
1937
1937 - 1681.PDF
JUNE 24, 1937. FLIGHT. 631 " •j''.:;^;-^ SSSSw./ The Suez Canal has been called the main artery of the Empire. The R.A.F squadrons in Egypt will soon all be quartered along its banks. , (R.A.F. official: Crown copyright referred.) Egyptian point of view is easy to understand and respect. Subordinate to the Middle East Command is the R.A.F. in Palestine and Trans-Jordan. Up to the time of the recent Arab riots in Palestine the R.A.F. was in supreme charge of the defence of those two mandated territories, and any Army troops there were under the command of the A.O.C. This arrangement was an experiment on the model of the successful air control in Iraq. But Palestine did not prove an equally suitable country for air control. Riots were apt to break out in the towns, and with these aircraft are always unable to deal. The operational com mand was therefore transferred to an Army officer, but Aden has only a small garrison, but its strategic position is immensely im portant. (R.A.F. official: Crown copyright re-tereed. officers of both Services. Across the Jordan the squadron at Amman keeps an eye on the Beduin tribes, for which task aircraft are eminently suitable. Palestine and Trans-Jordan to gether make an important link in the overseas Air Force chain. The Com mand extends to the eastern shore of the Mediterranean, it is in touch with the Air Force in Iraq, and, of course, also in touch with that in Egypt and the Sudan. It is a small Command, but may be regarded as a nucleus which could be increased if the 1 ed arose. Moving farther eastward we come to another small but important Com mand, known as the British Forces ir Aden. Here the R.A.F. is in supreme control, and the Air Officer Commanding has Army units under him The air garrison consists of only one bomber squadron and a section of armoured cars, and its normal work is to keep the peace among the tribes of the Hinterland. It does this most efficiently, with a minimum of fuss and next to no bloodshed. But it is interesting to look at the map and study the strategic position of Aden. The importance of this Colony has been greatly increased since the Italian conquest of Abyssinia, for it lies directly on the north-eastern flank of the Italian possessions in Africa. The Abyssinian port of Massawa is within reach of a bombing force stationed at Aden, while the Straits of Babel Mandeb could hardly be navigated if the Aden Air Force was determined to keep them closed. tterlis a'combi^ed GeTerliiVadquarters Staff composed of At present the Aden garrison is also a nucleus, but it too
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