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Aviation History
1940
1940 - 0196.PDF
JANUARY 25. T940. WAR IN THE AIR (CONTINUED) at present than that this latest threat is already coming under control, and that we have every confidence in being able presently to defeat it. (Cheers.) " 1 have already informed the House ol the introduc- tion of the system of offensive patrols carried out by our aircraft over the operating bases of the German seaplanes. These patrols have been maintained throughout the hours of darkness on every night during which weather conditions would allow seaplanes to operate; bombs have been dropped whenever lights have teen exposed to enable aircraft to take off from the water, and a rigid black-out has been enforced upon the enemy's bases. During the hours of daylight enemy aircraft have rarel^ ventured within reach of our fighter forces, and our patrols have repeatedly gone up to seek for aircraft, which turned back when encountered and evaded pursuit. Our reconnais- sance patrols have, however, had frequent encounters with these wandering German aircraft out over the North Sea, and, though not themselves equipped as fighters, have in- variably taken the offensive and have pressed it home by every means at their disposal. Attacks on Coastal Craft '" TN the last few weeks we have been horrified by the cal- •*• culated brutality involved in enemy attacks from the air on unarmed and unescorted trawlers. In December, 32 attacks of this nature were made and took the form of the bombing and machine-gunning of crews. Six trawlers were sunk and four damaged. Twenty-two escaped un- damaged During the present month there have been no fewer than 13 similar attacks from the air on unarmed trawlers. Two of these were sunk. A further outrage, wholly incompatible with the universally accepted prin- ciples oi warfare between civilised peoples, was committed against a lightship and against a Trinity House tender carrying men on lightship relief. These are men whose lives are devoted to the service of their fellow men ot every nation,.and who might claim to be immune from attack. (Cheers.) Yet they were brutally machine-gunned, two of them were killed and 32 were wounded by machine- gun bullets. It is significant that all these cowardly attacks were made in weather conditions which increased the difficulties of interception by our aircraft and that they died down as soon as improved conditions made it possible for our standing patrols to press home their pur- suit. "Agreement has been reached between the Governments of the United Kingdom, Canada, the Commonwealth of Australia and New Zealand on the details of the Empire Air Training Scheme, and there is now no obstacle to the development of that great enterprise. The House is, of course, aware of the extent to which pilots and other personnel from the Dominions are serving in the Air Forces here and the valiant exploits which they have already performed. (Cheers.) The training of both land and air forces in the Union of South Africa is being rapidly devel- oped, and these forces are in a position to assist in African defence when the need arises." Raiders—Old and New '"PHE 25th anniversary of the first German air raid on -*• Great Britain occurred on January 19. Dr. Goebbels' henchmen did not consider the killing of three people by Zeppelin bombs on the east coast worthy of com- memoration on a large scale so only sent over one Heinkel and this to the Aberdeen area. It was last seen with its Missed ! Now we'll have another go. A picture taken from a German aircraft as it turns to make a second attack on a ship in the North Sea.
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